Overview
- The comments surfaced on a podcast and were widely shared by Palestinian outlets after the episode was published on Sunday.
- Ben‑Gvir said Israeli forces should "take down 30 to 40" people in Gaza every night and described some Gazans as "not worthy of life" and "not even people."
- He made the remarks while speaking to former Gaza captive Rom Braslavski during a recorded interview that included calls to encourage mass Palestinian emigration and rebuild Israeli settlements across Gaza.
- Ben‑Gvir oversees Israel’s national police and prison service but does not command the Israel Defense Forces, a distinction cited by officials noting he cannot order airstrikes.
- The statements drew swift international condemnation, including from Iran’s deputy foreign minister who urged they be documented for accountability, and they complicate U.S. efforts to advance a Gaza roadmap as Israeli strikes continue and Israel heads to an October 27 election.