Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Alleges US Republicans Back Gaza Aid Depot Bombing to Free Hostages

US • Politics • 04/23 20:30
Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Alleges US Republicans Back Gaza Aid Depot Bombing to Free Hostages

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed that senior US Republicans supported his proposal to bomb Gaza aid depots to pressure Hamas for hostage release. This followed a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, attended by Republican lawmakers, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, though no US officials confirmed support. The claim has raised concerns amid Gaza's humanitarian crisis and scrutiny of US-Israel relations. Ben-Gvir's remarks come during Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has faced international criticism for obstructing aid and potential war crimes.

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04/23 20:30

Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Alleges US Republicans Back Gaza Aid Depot Bombing to Free Hostages

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed that senior US Republicans supported his proposal to bomb Gaza aid depots to pressure Hamas for hostage release. This followed a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, attended by Republican lawmakers, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, though no US officials confirmed support. The claim has raised concerns amid Gaza's humanitarian crisis and scrutiny of US-Israel relations. Ben-Gvir's remarks come during Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has faced international criticism for obstructing aid and potential war crimes.

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Ben-Gvir’s Statement and the Mar-a-Lago Meeting

On Wednesday, April 23, Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted on social media that he had “the honor and privilege of meeting with senior Republican Party officials at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.” According to Ben-Gvir, those present expressed support for his “very clear position on how to act in Gaza,” which includes bombing food and aid depots to exert military and political pressure on Hamas to release Israeli hostages.

“They expressed support for my very clear position on how to act in Gaza and that the food and aid depots should be bombed in order to create military and political pressure to bring our hostages home safely,” Ben-Gvir wrote in Hebrew on X (formerly Twitter).

The dinner, held at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, was attended by Republican officials and Miami-based businessmen. While Ben-Gvir’s post did not name specific lawmakers, his office later told Israeli media that Republican Congressman Tom Emmer, the House Majority Whip and third-ranking Republican in the US House of Representatives, was among those present. Video footage from the event appeared to confirm Emmer’s attendance, according to reports by the Times of Israel and the Jewish News Syndicate.

Absence of Trump and Lack of Official US Response

Former President Donald Trump, who owns the Mar-a-Lago estate, was not present at the event, according to his public schedule. The White House has not commented on Ben-Gvir’s claims, and there has been no official response from the Republican Party.

A spokesperson for Congressman Emmer did not respond to multiple media requests for comment, including from Al Jazeera and The Guardian, regarding whether the congressman supports Ben-Gvir’s position on targeting humanitarian aid infrastructure in Gaza.

Context: Hostage Crisis and Gaza War

Ben-Gvir’s remarks come amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which began after the October 7, 2024, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed at least 1,139 people. Israel believes that 24 of the 59 remaining hostages held by Hamas are still alive.

The Israeli government has faced mounting pressure to secure the release of hostages, and Ben-Gvir has been among the most vocal advocates for escalating military action. He has previously called for cutting off electricity and water to Gaza and bombing aid depots, arguing that such measures would force Hamas to negotiate.

Since the resumption of Israeli military operations on March 18, 2025, following a temporary ceasefire, at least 1,928 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The total Palestinian death toll since the war began has surpassed 51,300.

Humanitarian Concerns and International Reactions

Ben-Gvir’s call to bomb aid depots has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations and foreign governments. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning Israel’s continued obstruction of humanitarian aid, calling the situation “intolerable.”

The Gaza Strip is currently facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water. Aid agencies have warned that the deliberate targeting of humanitarian infrastructure could constitute a war crime under international law.

Ben-Gvir’s comments also come amid growing scrutiny of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees. Reports from human rights organizations have documented widespread abuse, including torture, starvation, and medical neglect in Israeli prisons. More than 9,500 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel.

Ben-Gvir’s Political Background and US Visit

This visit marks Ben-Gvir’s first official trip to the United States since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in 2022. A controversial figure in Israeli politics, Ben-Gvir has a history of inflammatory rhetoric and actions. He was convicted in 2007 for incitement to racism and support for a terrorist organization and has long been associated with the far-right Kahanist movement.

Ben-Gvir was previously considered persona non grata by the Biden administration. His visit to the US included stops at a police station, a prison, and a Jewish-owned gun store in Florida. He is also scheduled to speak at Yale University.

During the Mar-a-Lago dinner, Ben-Gvir reportedly spoke about harsh new measures implemented against Palestinian prisoners and reiterated his belief in a shared struggle between Israel and the US against “jihad,” according to attendees.

Lack of Clarity on Republican Support

Despite Ben-Gvir’s assertions, no US Republican official has publicly endorsed his proposal to bomb aid depots. The lack of confirmation from Congressman Emmer or any other Republican lawmaker has left Ben-Gvir’s claims unverified.

The ambiguity surrounding the meeting has raised questions about the extent of US political support for Israel’s more extreme military strategies in Gaza. While many Republican lawmakers have expressed strong backing for Israel’s right to self-defense, explicit support for targeting humanitarian aid infrastructure has not been part of the official US policy stance.

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