Dramatic Footage Shows Ben-Gvir Warning of Hamas Strength Days Before Massacre

Otzma Yehudit party released dramatic footage on Monday showing Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visiting Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 4, 2023, just three days before the October 7 Hamas massacre. During a conversation with the kibbutz's security coordinators, one of whom was murdered and the other seriously injured in the attack, Ben-Gvir warned of Hamas's growing power and opposed the policy of "containment."

"A large part of the government wants to avoid confrontation. I am one of those who think we must confront, because if we don't confront today, we will confront in 10 or 15 years when they have 10 times more missiles, 10 times more ammunition, and 10 times more power," Ben-Gvir stated in the conversation, which took place at 4:26 PM with a view of the Gaza Strip in the background.

Ben-Gvir also addressed the issue of rioters approaching the border fence, revealing his disagreement with the Chief of Staff and security officials. "Therefore, I think even now, during Sukkot, when they approach the fence, and this is what I argue with the Chief of Staff and security officials about. I don't want to elaborate too much, because there are many discussions on the subject, but I am one of those who think we should not contain them. If they approach the fence and try to harm the State of Israel, we should not throw gas at them, we should shoot them. Because in any normal country, anyone who approaches your fence and wants to destroy the country is shot to kill," he said.

Otzma Yehudit emphasized that the footage was filmed just three days before the deadly Hamas attack on the Gaza border communities, presenting it as support for Ben-Gvir's stance against the containment policy towards Hamas. The party claims that if Ben-Gvir had led the security system, the disaster could have been prevented, concluding, "If Ben-Gvir were the Defense Minister, October 7 would not have happened!"