This Israeli Minister Said Dropping A Nuclear Bomb On Gaza Was An Option And Got Suspended Immediately
During an interview, Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichay Eliyahu said that dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza is “one way” to deal with the situation.
Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichay Eliyahu has been suspended following his controversial remarks about the possibility of using a nuclear bomb on Gaza.
During a local radio interview on Sunday, Nov. 5, Eliyahu stated that dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza is “one way” to deal with the situation.
He said another way is to “work out what’s important to them, what scares them, what deters them,” adding that “they’re not scared of death”.
He also claimed that “there is no such thing as uninvolved civilians in Gaza,” according to Times of Israel.
Eliyahu, a member of the Jewish Power Party known for its ultranationalist agenda, is not directly involved in directing the war against Hamas, nor does he possess insights into Israel’s nuclear capabilities, according to Reuters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly denounced Eliyahu’s remarks as “detached from reality” and suspended him from cabinet meetings until further notice.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and its forces “are operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents,” according to The New York Times.
Eliyahu’s statements received widespread condemnation from voices within the country and the international community.
The forum representing Israeli hostages and missing families issued a statement clarifying that his reckless and cruel statement does not reflect their views.
Amid the backlash, Eliyahu took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain that “it’s clear to all sensible people that the statement about the atom is metaphorical”.
Israel’s attack on Gaza was prompted by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which killed over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took 240 people hostage.
In response, Israel launched relentless airstrikes and ground operations, leading to a death toll of over 10,000 people, including 4,000 children, according to Palestinian officials.
