Saudi Arabia condemned “in the strongest terms” statements regarding dropping a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip.
Palestine says minister’s remarks on nuking Gaza reflect Israel’s ‘genocidal
Amihay Eliyahu was asked about a hypothetical nuclear option against military attack on Gaza, replied: “That’s one way.”
Eliyahu had been suspended “until further notice,” after his remarks caused a scandal in mainstream Israeli media and the larger Arab world.
Palestine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Sunday “inflammatory” remarks made by an Israeli minister hinting at the possibility of a potential nuclear strike on Gaza.
“These remarks are a translation of the genocidal war that Israel has been waging against the Gaza Strip for 30 days,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the Israeli minister’s comments “are a clear reflection of the incitement campaigns advocated by Israeli officials to destroy Gaza and displace its residents,” adding that it is a “blow to all the countries demanding Israel to comply with international law, human rights principles, and the protection of civilians.”
In a radio interview, Israeli heritage minister Amihay Eliyahu was asked about a hypothetical nuclear option as part of Israel’s ongoing military attack on Gaza.
He replied: “That’s one way.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Eliyahu had been suspended “until further notice,” after his remarks caused a scandal in mainstream Israeli media and the larger Arab world.
“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,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
The Palestinian foreign ministry said Eliyahu’s remarks align with Israel’s policies “that deny the existence of Palestinians on their land, reject their rights, and evade [Israel’s] responsibilities under international law and legitimate international resolutions.”
In a social media post on X, Eliyahu said: “It is clear to anyone who is sensible that the nuclear remark was metaphorical,” adding that “a strong and disproportionate response to terrorism is definitely required, which will clarify to the Nazis and their supporters that terrorism is not worthwhile.”
The minister, of the Itamar Ben Gvir’s far-right party, is not part of the Israeli cabinet involved in the wartime decision-making, nor does he hold sway in directing the war against Hamas, according to the Times of Israel, who quoted Eliyahu as saying that the northern Gaza Strip has no right to exist and anyone waving a Palestinian or Hamas flag “shouldn’t continue living on the face of the earth.”
A spokesperson for Hamas said Eliyahu’s remarks reflected the “unprecedented criminal Israeli terrorism that constitutes danger to the entire region and the world.”