The alleged comments are not the first time that far-right Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for executing Palestinian captives to manage overcrowding in prisons.

The Israeli Defense Force’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, briefed ministers at a security cabinet meeting last week about recent operations in Gaza, where Israel has been carrying out a military offensive for almost seven months now in response to Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people and captured roughly 250.

During the briefing, Halevi said that hundreds of Palestinians were recently arrested after surrendering to the military.

“Why are there so many arrests?” Ben-Gvir allegedly asked. “Can’t you kill some? Do you want to tell me they all surrender? What are we to do with so many arrested? It’s dangerous for the soldiers.”