In another reflection of widespread anger in Israel, a junior government minister, Amihay Eliyahu, suggested in a radio interview Sunday that Israel could drop an atomic bomb on Gaza, triggering a political firestorm.
Israel continued its massive campaign to eradicate the Hamas terrorist group following its massacre of some 1,400 Israeli residents on Oct. 7 during the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust and the abduction of hundreds.
Video: IDF troops in the Gaza Strip / Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
When asked during his interview on Kol Barama if Israel should use such unconventional weapons in order to deal with the terrorist enclave ruled by Hamas, the minister for Jewish heritage from the far-right Otzma Yahudit party responded, "That is a possibility." When the interviewer then pressed, "But there are more than 240 Israeli captives in Gaza," the minister answered, "I pray for their safe return, but war has costs."
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He later walked back the remarks, saying they were "metaphorical." The outrage over Eliyahu's comments prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue a statement saying the minister's comments were "not based in reality" and that Israel would continue to try to avoid harming civilians. Eliyahu would also no longer take part in cabinet meetings, the prime minister said. Netanyahu's office further issued a statement in English as follows: "Minister 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."
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid echoed these comments, writing: "A shocking and insane statement from a minister lacking responsibility. He has harmed the families of the abducted, damaged Israeli society, and undermined our international standing. The presence of extremists in the government endangers us and jeopardizes the success of the war objectives – defeating Hamas and bringing back the abducted. Netanyahu must dismiss him today."
