August 17, 2025 | 04:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli Channel 12 aired a leaked recording of former Military Intelligence Major General (retired) Aharon Haliva openly admitting the intentional massive deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza as a deliberate policy message.
"For every person killed on Oct. 7, 50 Palestinians must die," Haliva said in the tapes, calling the staggering death toll "necessary for future generations". He continued by stating that "they need a Nakba every now and then to feel the price," in reference to the 1948 mass displacement of Palestinians.
Haliva insisted that the killings were "not revenge" but "deterrent to future generations," triggering outrage for portraying mass civilian casualties as a strategic necessity.
The former intelligence chief, who resigned in April 2024 after acknowledging responsibility for the failures preceding the October 7 attack, also criticized Israel's Shin Bet security agency, saying that it bore an equal share of responsibility for the disaster as the military intelligence.
He also denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials for refusing to resign despite what he called a “catastrophic national failure.”
Haliva's statement marks the first time such extreme remarks have been made by a senior Israeli figure, revealing the brutality behind justifying the mass deaths of Palestinians in the Gaza war. Israel has killed nearly 61,900 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023.
The military campaign has devastated the enclave and pushed it to the brink of starvation. Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the enclave.
Editor’s Choice: Palestinian Ambassador Attends Indonesia's 80th Independence Day Celebration
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Palestinian Ambassador Attends Indonesia's 80th Independence Day Celebration
5 jam lalu
Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al-Shun, attended the 80th Independence Day celebration at Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta.
20-Year-Old Palestinian Woman Dies of Malnutrition in Italy Following Gaza Evacuation
6 jam lalu
A 20-year-old Palestinian woman died of malnutrition in Italy just a day after being evacuated from the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Saturday.
Microsoft Probes Claims of Israel Using Its Cloud for Mass Surveillance Across Palestine
20 jam lalu
Microsoft opens an external investigation into allegations that Israel's military unit uses its cloud technology for mass surveillance of Palestinians
Israel-Induced Starvation in Gaza Draws Condemnation from European Nations
22 jam lalu
The response of European countries to the increasingly alarming hunger situation in Gaza.
Today's Top 3 News: Prabowo Pledges Rp178.7 Trillion for Teachers and Lecture Welfare in 2026 Budget
1 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
West Bank Settlement Plan Illegal, Germany Tells Israel
1 hari lalu
The German government has said Israel should not implement a plan to build thousands of new housing units at a settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Indonesia Has Never Negotiated with Israel Over Gaza Evacuation: Foreign Minister
1 hari lalu
Foreign Minister Sugiono affirmed that Indonesia has never negotiated with Israel regarding the transfer of Palestinian residents from Gaza.
Why Gaza Has Become a Dangerous Zone for Journalists: 5 Things to Know
1 hari lalu
Gaza has become the deadliest place for journalists worldwide since October 2023, with nearly 270 media personnel killed, The New Arab reports.
Netanyahu's "Greater Israel" Vision Draws Flak from Arab States
1 hari lalu
The Israeli Prime Minister's recent statement about his vision of Greater Israel has sparked strong reactions from Arab countries, raising concerns about regional stability and peace efforts.
Indonesia Affirms No Negotiations with Israel on Gaza Residents' Evacuation
2 hari lalu
Foreign Minister Sugiono denies any negotiation between the Indonesian government and Israel regarding the plan to evacuate Gaza refugees to Indonesia.
