Israeli minister says dropping nuclear bomb on Gaza 'an option', suspended by Netanyahu
Jerusalem, Nov 5: An Israeli minister from the far-right Otzma Yehudit party on Sunday said that dropping an atomic bomb on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip was "an option", prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to suspend him from government meetings indefinitely.
In a radio interview, Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said that "there are no non-combatants in Gaza" and providing humanitarian aid to the Strip would constitute "a failure".
When asked if there are no non-combatants in Gaza in his view then if a nuclear attack on the Gaza Strip is "an option", Eliyahu responded, "That's one way."
His remarks infuriated members of both the ruling coalition and the Opposition, evoking calls to fire him from the government.
Following the uproar, Eliyahu backtracked from his statement, calling it a "metaphorical" remark.
"It's clear to anyone with a brain that the remark about the atom was metaphorical. We indeed must display a forceful and disproportional response to terror, which will clarify to the Nazis and their supporters that terrorism isn't worthwhile. This is the only formula with which democracies can deal with terror," he said.
"Simultaneously, it is clear that the State of Israel is obligated to do everything to return the captives alive and in good health," Eliyahu wrote in a bid to defuse tensions.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu suspended Eliyahu from government meetings indefinitely, the PMO said.
Eliyahu is not a part of the security cabinet involved in the wartime decision-making, nor does he hold sway over the war cabinet directing the war against Islamist Hamas, it said.
Netanyahu called the remark "detached from reality".
"Israel and the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) are acting in accordance with the highest standards of international law in order to prevent harm to uninvolved people, and we will continue to do that all the way to victory," the prime minister said.
Taking to X, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called Eliyahu's statements "baseless" and said that it's "good that these aren't the people in charge of Israel's security".
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid slammed Eliyahu's comments as "a horrifying and insane remark by an irresponsible minister".
"He offended the families of the (241 Gaza) captives, offended Israeli society and harmed our international standing. The presence of the extremists in the government endangers us and the success of the war goals defeating Hamas and returning the hostages. Netanyahu must fire him," he demanded.
Observers opine that Israel is coming under increasing pressure from the international community as the death toll increases in Gaza, and such comments harm its efforts to maintain support for its "right to self-defence".
Israel has launched a massive diplomatic effort to drum up support globally with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen directing the country's missions across the world to screen to lawmakers and social influencers the horrible scenes obtained from Hamas' dastardly acts on October 7.
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Woman dies hours after delivery baby girl in Hassan; Family alleges medical negligence
Hassan: The death of a 30-year-old woman within hours of delivering a baby girl has triggered protests in Hassan, with her family alleging medical negligence and delay in treatment.
The deceased has been identified as Shruthi (30), wife of Puneeth of Hanumanahalli village in Hassan taluk. She was originally from K.R. Pet and was working as a guest teacher at the Government Primary School in Chikkagadenahalli. Her husband Puneeth is employed as a bus driver at the K.R. Pet depot.
Shruthi was admitted to the Government Women and Children’s Hospital in Hassan for delivery. She delivered a healthy baby girl through normal delivery. However, soon after childbirth, her health reportedly deteriorated.
Family members alleged that doctors informed them she required a large quantity of blood. They said blood was arranged immediately, but they were later advised to shift her to another hospital for further treatment. As it was Sunday, timely treatment was not provided, the family claimed. Shruthi reportedly died on the way to another hospital.
Her husband Puneeth alleged that negligence on the part of doctors led to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the newborn baby is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit at the Government Women and Children’s Hospital (HIMS), Hassan. Doctors are said to be monitoring the infant’s condition.
The incident falls under the Hassan Town police station limits. Police have begun collecting information, and further legal action may be taken based on medical records and the post-mortem report.
