Israeli minister Ben-Gvir urges killing 30 to 40 in Gaza nightly

Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has called for killing '30 to 40' people in Gaza every night, saying those who are not an immediate threat 'are not worthy of life.' The Hindu reports he made the remarks on a podcast hosted by former hostage Rom Braslavski, during which he also criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reducing Israeli strikes on Gaza.

India Today notes that similar statements by Israeli officials have been cited before the International Court of Justice as evidence of genocidal intent, which Israel denies. Ben-Gvir does not command the military but runs the national police and prison service. Israel's Supreme Court ruled in 2025 that his prison service was depriving Palestinian prisoners of a minimum subsistence diet.

His comments came as US envoy Jared Kushner pushed Trump's Gaza peace plan. Hamas accepted the proposal, linking disarmament to a Palestinian state, which Israel rejects. Israeli strikes have continued, with the military saying it hit Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in Khan Younis and Nuseirat. Kushner is expected to meet Netanyahu on Monday.