Ben-Gvir Warned of Gaza Escalation Days Before Oct. 7 Attack

Translated & summarized from 0404 by baba

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Hebrew · 6 newsrooms covering

Three days before the October 7 Hamas attack, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir warned against a policy of containment towards Gaza and advocated for lethal force against those approaching the border fence. He met with security coordinators in Nahal Oz on October 4, 2023, where he expressed concerns about Hamas's growing power. His party released footage of these remarks, claiming they prove his foresight and that the attack could have been prevented had he been in charge of defense.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned of Gaza escalation days before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Ben-Gvir advocated for lethal force against those approaching the Gaza border fence.
The remarks were made during a meeting in Nahal Oz on October 4, 2023.
His party claims the attack could have been prevented if he led defense.
One security coordinator at the meeting was killed in the Oct. 7 attack.

Ben-Gvir Warned of Gaza Escalation Days Before Oct. 7 Attack — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Three days before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, met with security coordinators (Rabbish"ats) in the community of Nahal Oz, near the Gaza border. Footage released by his Otzma Yehudit party shows Ben-Gvir warning about Hamas's growing strength and advocating for a change in policy towards Gaza, moving away from "containment." The meeting took place on October 4, 2023. According to the party, one of the security coordinators present was killed in the subsequent massacre, and another was seriously wounded.

Ben-Gvir stated, "A large part of the government wants to avoid confrontation. I am among those who think we must reach a confrontation, 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." He also addressed disagreements with the Chief of Staff and security officials regarding the handling of rioters approaching the border fence.

"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 among those who think we should not contain them," he said. Ben-Gvir added, "If they approach the fence and try to harm the State of Israel, there is no need to throw gas at them, we need to shoot them. Because in any normal country, anyone who approaches your fence and wants to destroy the country is shot to kill."

Otzma Yehudit emphasized that these remarks were made just three days before the Hamas attack, presenting the footage as validation of Ben-Gvir's stance against the policy of containment. The party further claimed that if Ben-Gvir had been in charge of the defense system, the disaster could have been prevented, stating, "If Ben-Gvir was the Defense Minister, 10.7 would not have happened!"