A junior Israeli minister has been suspended for appearing to be open to the possibility of Israel carrying out a nuclear strike on Gaza as the number of casualties in the strip continues to rise.

Netanyahu's office issued a statement indicating that the minister in question, Heritage Minister Amihay Eliyahu of the coalition government's far-right party, had been suspended from cabinet meetings "until further notice."

PHOTO | COURTESY Netanyahu 

When asked about a potential nuclear option in a radio interview, Eliyahu said, "That's one way."

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His comment sparked outrage across the Arab world, scandalized mainstream Israeli media, and was judged "objectionable" by a US official.

Neither Eliyahu nor his party's leader are members of the streamlined ministerial forum in charge of the Gaza war. They would also lack inside knowledge of Israel's nuclear capabilities, which it does not openly admit, as well as authority to use them.

PHOTO | COURTESY Amihay Eliyahu

"Eliyahu's claims are not grounded in reality." To prevent killing innocent people, Israel and the IDF (military) are working in conformity with the highest norms of international law. "We will keep doing so until we win," Netanyahu's office declared.

"The racist statements of Israeli Minister Eliyahu are revealing," the League of Arab States said in a statement. He not only admits that they have a nuclear weapon, but he also verifies the reality of Israel's heinous racial attitude against the Palestinian people."

Over 9,500 Palestinians have been murdered in the conflict, raising international criticism about Israel's tactics.

After the backlash from his comments, Eliyahu stated on social media that his comment was metaphorical.

PHOTO | COURTESY Amihay Eliyahu

 "It is clear to anyone who is sensible that the nuclear remark was metaphorical."

 "A strong and disproportionate response to terrorism is definitely required, which will clarify to the Nazis and their supporters that terrorism is not worthwhile." he added.

According to a spokeswoman for Hamas, an Islamist group that promotes the destruction of Israel, Eliyahu represents "unprecedented criminal Israeli terrorism (that) poses a threat to the entire region and the world."