Israeli Channel 12, citing political sources, reported on Sunday that "statements issued by Israeli 'Heritage' Minister Amihai Eliyahu have caused tremendous damage to "Israel's" reputation globally, especially among partner countries" that are trying to aid the regime.

It was deemed that the minister's statements "undermined Israeli efforts to gain more time and international legitimacy in order to prolong the military operation in Gaza."

Similarly, political sources cited by Channel 12 say that "Eliyahu's statements constitute a hostile move against Israeli propaganda, which is trying to differentiate between 'good' Israel and 'bad' Hamas," as mentioned in reports.

"But the minister came and his statements destroyed everything, and contradicted international law," they add. 

They also say that "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not conduct the war separately from domestic political considerations."

In the same context, Cabinet member Minister Hili Tropper stated, "The price we are paying in Gaza is high," and he criticized Eliyahu's statement, which, in his view, "caused exceptional international damage, and it's difficult to estimate the extent to which it reached."

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Earlier today, Eliyahu made controversial statements in an interview broadcast on Israeli radio, suggesting that the option of using a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip was on the table.

He expressed opposition to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and advocated for the Israeli occupation to regain control of Gaza. He denied the right of existence to the northern Gaza Strip and suggested that Palestinians should go to Ireland or deserts for a solution. 

BREAKING: HAMAS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN GAZA

''Terrorist Minister Amichai Eliyahu’s statement of throwing a nuclear bomb on Gaza is an expression of the occupation’s Nazism and its practice of genocide after its military failure in the face of the… pic.twitter.com/SmJt3MeSzG

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) November 5, 2023

Eliyahu's statements were met with strong criticism within the regime, including by opposition leader Yair Lapid who described Eliyahu's statements as "shocking and insane."

"He has harmed the families of the abducted, damaged Israeli society, and undermined our international standing. The presence of extremists in the government endangers us and jeopardizes the success of the war objectives – defeating Hamas and bringing back the abducted," Lapid wrote on social media, adding that "Netanyahu must dismiss him today."

Netanyahu's office also released an English statement, which read: "Minister Eliyahu's statements are not based in reality. Israel and the [IOF] are operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents. We will continue to do so until our victory."

Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz described Eliyahu's statement as "a stone thrown by a fool into a well. Even a thousand wise men won't be able to pull it out."

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum vehemently condemns Minister Eliyahu's concerning statement.

International law, along with fundamental principles of human morality and common sense, strictly prohibits the use of mass destruction weapons.
The Forum underscores that the…

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) November 5, 2023

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