The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, pledged to burn the body of the head of the Hamas political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, along with the bodies of those he described as participants in the October 7 events that are held by Israel, if he takes over the Ministry of Defense portfolio.
Ben Gvir’s statements came during an interview with Kan Reshet Bet Radio, where he confirmed that, upon assuming the proposed ministerial position, he would work to bring about a “fundamental change in the approach” currently followed.
These pledges come in the context of Ben Gvir’s repeated efforts to assume the defense portfolio in the next government. During an event organized by the “Nahala” movement near the Gaza Strip border, he expressed his hope of reaching the “Nisanit” settlement before the elections, adding that if that is not possible, he aspires to become Minister of Defense to restore the Israeli presence to “Nisanit,” and “the entire northern perimeter, and to all of Gaza,” as he put it.
In a related context, the Minister of National Security previously proposed a comprehensive security plan that includes encouraging what he described as “voluntary migration” from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, in addition to disarming the Palestinian Authority and arresting a number of its senior officials on charges of supporting “terrorist” acts.
As for the military level, Ben Gvir’s agenda includes calling for amending the rules of engagement, expanding the scope of support for soldiers, increasing their salaries, and granting fighters among them free land.
His plan also includes demanding the amendment of the army’s ethical code – which his party described as “Asa Kasher’s progressive ethical code” – as well as demanding that elite military units, including Unit 8200, be opened to various segments of the population without exception.
