Lapid says young Israelis told him 'even babies' in Gaza should be killed

What Happened

On 2 October 2026, former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid said in an interview that young Israelis told him during a recent meeting that there are 'no innocent people' in Gaza and that Israel should kill all Palestinians there, including two-week-old babies, because they would eventually grow up to become terrorists. Lapid described the meeting as 'furious and painful' and recounted asking them about babies, to which they replied 'babies too.' The article reports Lapid's account; the statements are attributed to him and not independently confirmed in the article.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The anecdote surfaces extreme rhetoric about the Gaza population among some young Israelis, as relayed by a prominent political figure. Such statements are relevant to broader debates over Israeli public attitudes and their possible influence on the conflict's conduct, as well as to international legal scrutiny where public discourse about civilian harm is documented.

Watch For

Monitor whether Lapid or the Together party issues further comment or clarification, whether Israeli or Palestinian officials respond, and whether the anecdote is referenced in reporting on public opinion or legal proceedings concerning conduct in Gaza.