Jerusalem:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday disciplined a junior member of his Cabinet who appeared to be open to the idea of ​​Israel launching a nuclear strike on Gaza, where the war with Hamas has resulted in a growing number of Palestinian civilians being killed. .

Netanyahu’s office issued a statement saying the minister in question – Heritage Minister Amihay Eliyahu from a far-right party in the coalition government – ​​had been suspended from cabinet meetings “until further notice.”

Asked about the hypothetical nuclear option in a radio interview, Eliyahu replied: “It’s one way.”

His comments were strongly condemned across the Arab world, condemned by mainstream Israeli broadcasters and deemed “offensive” by a US official.

Neither Eliyahu nor his party leaders are in the well-organized ministerial forum running the Gaza war. Neither would they have inside knowledge of Israel’s nuclear capabilities – which it does not publicly acknowledge – or the authority to activate them.

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Netanyahu’s office said, “Eliyahu’s statements are not based on reality. Israel and the IDF (army) are acting in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents. We will continue to do so until our victory.” “

The League of Arab States said in a statement: “Israeli Minister Eliyahu’s racist statements are revealing. He not only admits that they have nuclear weapons, but he also denies the reality of Israelis’ disgusting racist attitudes towards the Palestinian people. Let’s confirm.” ,

About 9,500 Palestinians have been killed in the war, raising international concern over Israel’s tactics.

The crisis prompted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the weekend for another troubleshooting trip to the Middle East.

A senior US State Department official said, “Obviously that was an objectionable statement and the Prime Minister made it clear that he (Eliyahu) was not speaking on behalf of the government.”

Eliyahu said in a social media post: “It is clear to anyone who is sensible that the nuclear comment was symbolic.”

Read more Despite calls for a ceasefire, Israel has intensified its brutal attacks on Gaza.

But he added: “There is definitely a need for a strong and uncompromising response to terrorism, which will make clear to Nazis and their supporters that terrorism is not worthwhile.”

A Hamas spokesman said that Eliyahu represents “unprecedented criminal Israeli terrorism (which) threatens the entire region and the world”.

In Eliyahu’s Kol Barama radio interview, it was noted that destroying Gaza would put about 240 hostages at risk – among them foreigners and Israelis.

The minister replied, “In war, you have to pay the price.” He also said he was praying for the return of the hostages.

Benny Gantz, a centrist former general who joined conservative Netanyahu from the opposition in the streamlined war cabinet, said Eliyahu’s comments were damaging “and, worse, heightened the pain of the hostages’ families at home”.