By Dan Williams
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken disciplinary action against a junior member of his cabinet who made comments suggesting that Israel should consider a nuclear strike on Gaza. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza has resulted in a rising number of Palestinian civilian casualties.
Netanyahu’s office released a statement announcing the suspension of Heritage Minister Amihay Eliyahu from cabinet meetings until further notice. Eliyahu, a member of a far-right party in the coalition government, made the controversial remarks during a radio interview when asked about the possibility of a nuclear option. He responded, “That’s one way.” His statement received widespread coverage in Arab media and shocked mainstream Israeli broadcasters.
However, neither Eliyahu nor his party leader have access to the streamlined ministerial forum overseeing the Gaza war. They also do not possess information about Israel’s nuclear capabilities, as the country does not publicly acknowledge them, nor the authority to activate such measures.
“Eliyahu’s statements are not based in reality. Israel and the IDF (military) are operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents. We will continue to do so until our victory,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
International concern has been mounting as the war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of approximately 9,500 Palestinians. Eliyahu attempted to clarify his remarks through a social media post, claiming that the nuclear comment was metaphorical. However, he emphasized the need for a strong and disproportionate response to terrorism, stating that it would send a message to terrorists and their supporters.
A spokesperson for Hamas, an Islamist group that seeks the destruction of Israel, condemned Eliyahu’s comments, describing them as representative of the “unprecedented criminal Israeli terrorism” that poses a danger to the region and the world.
During the radio interview, it was mentioned that any extensive military action in Gaza would put approximately 240 hostages at risk, including foreigners and Israelis, who were taken captive by Hamas following a cross-border assault on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people.
“In war, you pay a price,” Eliyahu responded, expressing his prayers for the safe return of the hostages.
Benny Gantz, a former general who joined Netanyahu’s conservative government from the opposition, criticized Eliyahu’s remarks, stating that they were not only damaging but also added to the pain of the hostages’ families.
(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
