Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, in Netanyahu coalition, urges killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza nightly, comments resurface

An extremist Israeli lawmaker, Itamar Ben-Gvir, publicly advocated for killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza each night in remarks that were surfaced and circulated Sunday, according to The Washington Times. The statements were quickly shared by Palestinian media outlets, drawing attention to rhetoric associated with Ben-Gvir, a hard-line figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.

The Washington Times reported that the remarks were presented as a nightly target, with the lawmaker arguing that lethal force should be carried out on a recurring basis during Israel’s war in Gaza. The article said the comments were shared after they appeared online or were otherwise made public, and that they were subsequently amplified through Palestinian media channels.

The report framed Ben-Gvir’s comments as an advocacy of killings rather than a description of a specific military operation, and it highlighted the scale implied by the “30 to 40” figure. Because the account centers on the lawmaker’s words and their subsequent distribution, the report did not describe a corresponding official operational plan tied to the quoted number.

Netanyahu’s coalition has included Ben-Gvir since the formation of the current government, according to the context described by The Washington Times in linking the remarks to the prime minister’s political leadership. The report did not provide additional details in its summary about when, where, or in what specific format the remarks were made, beyond stating that the comments surfaced Sunday and were promptly shared by Palestinian media.

The resurgence of the quotes comes as international pressure and domestic debate in multiple countries continue to focus on Israel’s conduct in Gaza, including questions about civilian harm and proportionality. Ben-Gvir’s remarks, if accurately characterized, add to scrutiny of public messaging by senior political figures during the conflict.

It was not immediately clear from The Washington Times report whether Israeli officials or government institutions issued an immediate response to the comments, or whether any law or disciplinary process was initiated as a result of their circulation. The Washington Times account, however, treated the statements as publicly made and circulated widely enough to reach Palestinian media, suggesting the episode became part of the conflict’s information environment.

The practical effect, as described in the reporting, is that the comments are now in circulation alongside other conflict-related claims and statements. Observers will likely watch for whether Israeli officials address the rhetoric and whether lawmakers or legal authorities take steps related to official conduct and speech, particularly given Ben-Gvir’s role in the Netanyahu coalition.