Israel’s Heritage Minister, Amichai Eliyahu, suggested the use of a nuclear bomb on Gaza during a radio interview, leading to his immediate suspension from part of his role.

Eliyahu, a member of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party that forms a part of Netanyahu’s coalition government, also stated, “There are no non-combatants in Gaza,” reported Business Insider.

Eliyahu’s comments were quickly criticized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that the nuclear weapon comment was “not based in reality.”