Israeli Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev advocated the state-sanctioned assassination of Hamas leaders on Thursday following an intense 24 hours of hostilities between Israel and the militant group.
"The equation should be very simple: If our children live in fear, then the leadership of Hamas should live in fear," Regev said, as quoted by The Jerusalem Post. She added that the country must go back to the policy of targeted assassinations of leaders of what she called a "murderous terrorist group."
READ MORE: IDF Claim 'Confrontation' With Hamas 'Nearing' After Rocket Barrage – Reports
Regev spoke with the heads of communities located near the Gaza Strip. "They told me about the inconceivable reality of children who cannot enjoy camp and social activities like the rest of the children in Israel," she said. "This is not what their summer vacation should look like."
Her statement came after Israel and Hamas, the militant group that rules the Gaza enclave, reportedly reached a ceasefire "on the basis of mutual calm" following the latest uptick in violence this week.
Miri Regev is a former brigadier general who served as a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in 2005-2007. After stepping down from the military post, she launched a political career and became the minister of culture and sport in 2015. Described by The Times of Israel as an outspoken supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu, she also served as acting PM when he would go abroad.
