Netanyahu Suspends Israeli Minister Over 'Nuking Gaza' Remark, Says Statement 'Not Based in Reality'

 

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suspended Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu from government meetings indefinitely, hours after his ‘nuking Gaza’ remarks created uproar. Distancing itself from the extremist approach, Netanyahu’s office said Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Minister Amihai Eliyahu’s statements are not based in reality. Israel and the IDF are operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents. We will continue to do so until our victory,” the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said in a statement.

‘THAT’S ONE OPTION’

The October 7 attacks killed 1,400 people, Israeli officials say. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7 has killed 9,488 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. During a radio interview, the Israeli minister was asked a question about dropping “some kind of atomic bomb” on the Gaza Strip “to kill everyone”. To this, Eliyahu replied: “That’s one option”. Eliyahu later walked back as a “metaphorical” remark.

He had also called residents of Gaza “Nazis” and voiced against the humanitarian aid to the Strip, The Times of Israel reported. The far-right minister in Netanyahu’s cabinet also said that there is “no such thing” as unassociated civilians in the Gaza Strip. Prior to Eliyahu’s sacking, opposition leader Yair Lapid had also slammed Eliyahu’s preposterous suggestion that dropping a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip is a possibility. He termed the comments as “a horrifying and insane remark by an irresponsible minister.”

“He offended the families of the captives, offended Israeli society and harmed our international standing,” Lapid said. “The presence of the extremists in the government endangers us and the success of the war goals — defeating Hamas and returning the hostages. “Netanyahu must fire him this morning.” Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also took to X, calling Eliyahu’s statements “baseless.” He added that it’s “good that these aren’t the people in charge of Israel’s security.”