Ben-Gvir claims US Republicans back bombing Gaza aid sites
'Israeli' National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked fresh outrage after claiming that senior US Republican officials support his call to bomb humanitarian aid warehouses in Gaza.
The far-right minister made the statement on Wednesday following a private dinner event held Tuesday at former US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The dinner was attended by Republican lawmakers and businessmen, though Trump himself was not present.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ben-Gvir wrote that the Republican officials he met backed his “clear position” that 'Israel' should bomb Gaza’s food and aid depots to pressure Hamas into releasing 'Israeli' captives.
היה לי את הכבוד והזכות להיפגש עם בכירים במפלגה הרפובליקנית באחוזת טראמפ במאר א-לאגו. הם הביעו תמיכה בעמדתי המאוד ברורה כיצד צריך לפעול בעזה ושיש להפציץ את מאגרי המזון והסיוע על מנת לייצר לחץ צבאי ומדיני כדי להחזיר את חטופינו הביתה בשלום. pic.twitter.com/5qXbNrudSV
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) April 23, 2025
“They expressed support for my very clear position on how to act in Gaza and that the food and aid depots should be bombed,” he said, describing this as a tactic to “create military and political pressure” on Hamas.
Ben-Gvir did not name specific lawmakers, but his office later told 'Israeli' media that US Congressman Tom Emmer, the House Majority Whip, was present at the event. Emmer’s office has not commented on whether he endorses Ben-Gvir’s views.
The minister’s remarks have drawn condemnation from rights groups and humanitarian organizations, who say the deliberate targeting of aid infrastructure violates international law and amounts to collective punishment.
Ben-Gvir, known for his extremist rhetoric and support for settler expansion, has previously called for cutting off Gaza’s electricity, water, and aid access. He briefly resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet earlier this year in opposition to a temporary ceasefire, only to return weeks later.
His visit to the US included stops at a Jewish school, a gun shop in Florida, and a visit with Miami police. He is expected to travel to New York City next.
Since October 2023, 'Israel’s' aggression on Gaza has killed an estimated 51,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Nearly two million residents remain trapped under siege, with 'Israel' continuing to block food, fuel, and medicine from entering the territory. Aid agencies have warned of worsening famine conditions.
'Israel' currently believes 24 of the remaining 59 captives taken by Hamas on October 7 are still alive. Meanwhile, over 9,500 Palestinians remain imprisoned by 'Israel', with reports of torture and severe mistreatment in custody.
Ben-Gvir’s comments come as 'Israel' faces mounting international scrutiny, including genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice and arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
