Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Ben-Gvir Urges Killing 30–40 Palestinians Nightly, Lawyers Warn

8/17/2026

30 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On 16 August 2026, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir urged killing 30-40 Palestinians each night.
He said the killings should also include individuals who are not immediate threats.
International lawyers warned the proposals could amount to ethnic cleansing.
Ben-Gvir, who controls police and prisons but cannot order military strikes, continues to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the 27 October election.

History

Historical Context

On April 9 1948 Irgun and Lehi, aided by the Haganah, killed about 107 villagers in Deir Yassin, a massacre that terrified Palestinians and accelerated the 1948 exodus of roughly 750,000 people, 55 % of whom settled in West Bank and Gaza camps. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s recent call to kill 30-40 Palestinians nightly echoes that rhetoric, pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition before the October election.

1 of 2

Story summary

On 16 August 2026, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir urged killing 30-40 Palestinians each night.
He said the killings should also include individuals who are not immediate threats.
International lawyers warned the proposals could amount to ethnic cleansing.
Ben-Gvir, who controls police and prisons but cannot order military strikes, continues to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the 27 October election.

1 / 2