A retired Israeli general, Aharon Haliva, has sparked controversy with his comments on the recent Gaza conflict. In a recording broadcast by Israel’s Channel 12 TV station, Haliva stated that 50 Palestinians must die for every person killed during the violence, including children. He described the toll in Gaza as “necessary” and said it would serve as a message to future generations of Palestinians.
Haliva’s remarks have been seen as unusually direct in their description of collective punishment, which is illegal under international law. The general’s comments echo those of some Israeli politicians who have used genocidal rhetoric against Palestinians. However, Haliva’s tone has raised eyebrows among some analysts, who see him as a centrist critic of the current government.
The comments were part of an undated conversation between Haliva and an unnamed individual at the intelligence directorate. Channel 12 did not clarify how they obtained the recordings or who Haliva was speaking with. The Gaza health ministry’s toll for those killed by Israeli attacks has recently climbed above 60,000, while Israel’s own data puts the number of militants killed at around 20,000.
Haliva’s remarks highlight the disconnect between how the conflict is perceived and discussed inside Israel and beyond its borders. His comments have sparked debate about the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the rhetoric used by some politicians to describe Palestinians.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/17/israeli-general-aharon-haliva-palestinians-7-october-gaza