EXPLICIT INTENTIONS FOR MASS MURDER:

ISRAEL'S LEADERS AND GAZA

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has sparked significant international outrage and condemnation, primarily due to explicit statements made by high-ranking Israeli officials. These deeply troubling remarks reflect a disturbing disregard for human life and basic humanitarian principles, intensifying scrutiny and criticism from global institutions, human rights advocates, and concerned individuals worldwide. The quotes presented here starkly reveal the aggressive and uncompromising rhetoric adopted by these Israeli leaders, laying bare the severe humanitarian consequences their statements imply.

Israel's Top Leaders Have Very Explicitly Stated That They Aim To Kill Large Numbers Of Palestinian Civilians:

Israeli President: Isaac Herzog

On October 13, 2023, Israeli President Isaac Herzog claims there are no innocent citizens in Gaza. "It is an entire nation out there that is responsible. It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not being aware, not involved. It's absolutely not true. They could have fought against that evil regime which took over Gaza in a coup d'état." said Herzog, seemingly blaming all the citizens of Gaza for the Hamas attack. "I have released all the restraints; we have [regained] control of the area, and we are moving to a full offense. […] You will have the ability to change the reality here. You have seen the prices [being paid], and you will get to see the change. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza; it will change 180 degrees from what it thought. […] They will regret this moment; Gaza will never return to what it was. Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors — we will eliminate him with all our might, and without compromise,"

Israeli President Says There Are No Innocent Civilians in Gaza (Antiwar, 10-15-23)

Israeli Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu

"They (Israel) are committed to completely eliminating this evil (Hamas) from the world," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on November 11, 2023. He added: "You must remember what Amalek has done to you, says our Holy Bible. And we do remember." The Tanakh verses in the Old Testament refer to God commanding King Saul in the first Book of Samuel to kill every person in Amalek, a rival nation to ancient Israel. Presenting the enemy as Amalek reinforces the idea that allows Israel to continue the genocide of the Palestinians. Netanyahu said Israelis are united in their fight against Hamas, whom he described as an enemy of incomparable cruelty.

The Dangerous History Behind Netanyahu’s Amalek Rhetoric (Mother Jones, 11-3-23)

On May 20, 2024, the Hebrew Version of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech condemning The International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, on seeking arrest warrants for leaders from Israel and accusing them of war crimes related to actions taken in the Gaza Strip contained the phrase "Netzah Israel lo yeshaker" — which means "the Eternal One of Israel shall not lie," at the ending. This phrase comes from Samuel I, 15:29, in which the prophet Samuel chastises King Saul for not wholly destroying all Amalekites, sparing their king Agag and the best of the livestock. At the end of the English-spoken version of the speech, Netanyahu said, "To all the enemies of Israel, including their collaborators in The Hague, I renew that pledge today. Israel will wage our war against Hamas until that war is won. Because never again is now." The term "Never Again" is a phrase or slogan that is associated with the Jewish Holocaust during World War II in Germany and other genocides.

Netanyahu’s response to the ICC invokes another genocidal biblical reference (Mondoweiss, 5-21-24)

Israeli Defense Minister: Yoav Gallant

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to Israeli soldiers on the front lines on October 10, 2023. "We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly." "We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza," Gallant said. "There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Everything will be closed." Many organizations globally are still trying to enter to provide aid, but Israel is standing firm.

Israeli Defense Minister Announces Siege On Gaza To Fight ‘Human Animals’ (Huffpost, 10-09-23)

Israeli Energy Minister: Israel Katz

On October 12, 2023, the Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz posted on his social media, "Humanitarian aid to Gaza?". "No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened, and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home. Humanitarian for humanitarian. And no one will preach us morals." Katz continued. His post responded to organizations wanting permission to enter Gaza to provide aid and relief efforts for the many wounded citizens.

'Collective Punishment': Israeli Energy Minister Says No Humanitarian Breaks in Gaza Siege Until Hostages Freed (Common Dreams, 10-12-23)

Israeli Minister for the Advancement of Women: May Golan

On February 21, 2024, during a session held by the Knesset (Israel's parliament), Israeli Minister for the Advancement of Women, May Golan, said, "I am personally proud of the ruins of Gaza, and that every baby, even 80 years from now, will tell their grandchildren what the Jews did." Referring to Israeli actions post-Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. She also dismisses the creation of a Palestinian state, which Israeli lawmakers recently voted on and rejected, saying if they believe the Israeli government will allow their "Government of change," they are "dreaming" and "No dove and no olive branch, only a sword to cut off Sinwar's head. That's what he will receive from us." Golan and Israel itself are currently facing harsh global criticisms for their statements and actions, especially after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling Israel should take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide on January 26, 2024.

Israeli Minister May Golan Says, 'Personally Proud Of The Ruins Of Gaza' Video (Dawn News English Official YouTube, 2-22-24)

Israeli Heritage Minister: Amichai Eliyahu

On March 1, 2024, Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu told Army Radio, "The so-called month of Ramadan must be wiped out, and our fear of this month must also be wiped out." Eliyahu is also well known for his answers during a Radio Kol Berama interview on November 5, 2023, where, when asked about dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza, he responded, "That's one way; the second way is to work out what's important to them, what scares them, what deters them… They're not scared of death."

Israel Minister calls for ‘wiping out’ month of Ramadan (Middle East Monitor, 3-1-24)

Israeli Finance Minister: Bezalel Smotrich

On May 30, 2024, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatens to attack the West Bank like the Gaza Strip. “Our message to the neighbors beyond the fence in Tulkarem, Nur Shams, Shuweika, and Qalqilya: We will turn you into ruined cities like in the Gaza Strip if the terror you are exerting on the settlements continues,” said Smotrich.

Israeli Minister Threatens to Turn Occupied West Bank Into Ruins 'Like in the Gaza Strip' (Common Dreams,5-30-24)

On August 5, 2024, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said at a conference hosted by the right-wing Israel Hayom outlet in Yad Binyamin that he believes blocking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is "justified and moral" even if millions of civilians die of hunger as a result. However, the international community will not allow that to happen. "We bring in aid because there is no choice... We can't, in the current global reality, manage a war. Nobody will let us cause 2 million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral until our hostages are returned." "Humanitarianism in exchange for humanitarianism is morally justified — but what can we do? We live today in a certain reality; we need international legitimacy for this war."

Israeli Minister Laments That 'Nobody Will Let Us' Starve 2 Million Gazans To Death (Common Dreams, 8-5-24)

On April 7, 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made a stark declaration during a government meeting, stating, "Not even a grain of wheat will enter Gaza." His remarks, reported by the Israeli outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, display a hardline stance toward the besieged enclave, where humanitarian conditions have drastically deteriorated. Smotrich's statement came amid continued international concern over the blockade imposed on Gaza, particularly following the Israeli military's takeover of the Rafah crossing in early March. Since March 2, 2025, the entry of food, medicine, and fuel into Gaza has been severely restricted, with water also recently cut by 70%, sparking warnings of famine and mass suffering from aid organizations and the United Nations.

Israel's Smotrich says 'not even a grain of wheat' will enter Gaza (Middle East Eye, 4-8-25)

These explicit and inflammatory statements from Israeli leaders display a troubling willingness to endorse severe humanitarian abuses against Palestinians in Gaza openly. These statements are morally reprehensible and have rightfully attracted widespread international condemnation. These remarks not only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis but also starkly violate basic principles of human rights and international humanitarian law. The global community continues to call for accountability, demanding immediate humanitarian access and diplomatic solutions to end the profound suffering and prevent further atrocities. Still, these pleas seem only to be ignored as the suffering continues.

According to figures compiled by the Health Ministry in Gaza, over 50,000 people have died since October 7, 2023, nearly 70% of them women and children, with 116,505 wounded. This remains the most accurate direct count to date. However, thousands are still unaccounted for—many likely buried under rubble or unreachable due to the ongoing bombardment and siege. A July 2024 letter published in The Lancet estimated that the actual death toll, including indirect deaths from starvation, disease, untreated injuries, and total health system collapse, could exceed 186,000 (roughly 8% of Gaza’s population). Given that conditions have only deteriorated further into 2025—with Israel tightening its blockade, cutting water supplies by 70%, and seizing critical humanitarian access points like the Rafah crossing—how much higher might the actual death toll be now? As famine looms and access to medical care, clean water, and basic shelter continues to vanish, the toll on civilian life is likely far greater than the world has been able to document.

Our Rlated Articles:

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Empty U.S. Ultimatums and the Gaza Crisis

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We Are Witnessing A Live Genocide : Israeli Officials In Their Own Words Video (Instagram Post, 2024)

2025 Articles:

Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel's offensive killed? (Reuters, 3-24-25)

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed 50,000 Palestinians since October 2023 (Al Jazeera, 3-23-25)

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