Israeli Minister Eliyahu Suggests Nuclear Strike on Gaza, Faces Netanyahu's Sanctions

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the decision to indefinitely suspend Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu from cabinet meetings due to his recent comments regarding the possibility of a nuclear attack on Gaza.

The Prime Minister's office made this announcement today, sparking a wave of public reactions and debate. Eliyahu, a member of the far-right Ocma Yehudit party, initially floated the idea of a nuclear attack on Gaza but later dismissed it as a "metaphorical" remark, as reported by The Times of Israel.

During an interview with Radio Kol Berama, Eliyahu was asked about the option of using an atomic bomb on Gaza, to which he responded that it was among the possibilities. He also expressed his objection to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, claiming that everyone in the enclave was somehow involved in the ongoing conflict.

Eliyahu clarified that his earlier statement regarding a nuclear attack on Gaza was meant to be "figurative"

Eliyahu's stance on the recapture of Gaza and the rebuilding of settlements in the area is clear. He believes that northern Gaza has no right to exist and that those who display Palestinian or Hamas flags should not be allowed to "continue to live on the face of the earth." Following the controversy, Eliyahu clarified his remarks on Platform X, stating, "it is clear to anyone with a brain that the remark about the atomic bomb was metaphorical." He emphasized the need for Israel to respond strongly and disproportionately to terrorism to deter its supporters.

Eliyahu argued that this approach is crucial for democracies in combating terror effectively. Simultaneously, he stressed the obligation of the State of Israel to do everything possible to secure the release of Hamas-held hostages, ensuring their well-being.

The suspension of Minister Eliyahu from cabinet meetings highlights the sensitivity and seriousness of discussions related to military actions and policies in the volatile region. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the broader political landscape and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.