“Open the Gates of Hell” Against Enemies, Says Israeli Minister

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for aggressive action against Israel’s enemies, saying “the gates of hell need to be opened” in response to the recent conflict with Iran.

This statement comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a ceasefire with Iran. In a Wednesday interview with Israel’s public radio Reshet Bet, Ben-Gvir declared that Israel has “achieved success in Iran” and needs to leverage this achievement to demonstrate its dominance in the Middle East.

Ben-Gvir’s rhetoric is nothing new, as he has been a vocal advocate for regime change in Iran and has taken a hardline stance against Palestinian civilians.

His comments have drawn criticism, and he is currently being sanctioned by the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway for “repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians”. Despite the ceasefire, Ben-Gvir’s words suggest that some Israeli officials may be looking to escalate tensions in the region.

This sentiment echoes previous statements made by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, who vowed to “open the gates of hell” in Gaza if Hamas does not return all hostages. Similarly, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Israel to take aggressive action against its enemies, urging the government to “open the gates of hell as quickly and lethally as possible” to achieve absolute victory.

Ben-Gvir’s comments highlight the divisions within the Israeli government and the complexities of the conflict with Iran. While the ceasefire may have brought a temporary halt to hostilities, the rhetoric from hardline officials like Ben-Gvir suggests that tensions remain high, and the situation could escalate again in the future.