JERUSALEM — The Israeli government honored Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv during a ceremony marking the country’s 78th Independence Day, spotlighting a figure whose calls to “flatten” the Gaza Strip have stirred controversy amid an ongoing conflict with Hamas. Zarbiv, a reservist who operated a bulldozer in Gaza during the war, gained prominence on social media for documenting the demolition efforts he carried out against Gaza’s infrastructure.

The two-year war with Hamas, which escalated after the militant group’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 250 civilians, has resulted in widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip. Israeli military operations have razed much of the enclave, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and leaving large portions of Gaza devastated.

Zarbiv’s role in the conflict centered on using heavy machinery to demolish buildings, which he defended as measures meant to prevent ambushes and protect Israeli soldiers from booby traps in Gaza’s dense urban areas. In interviews, he stated that he destroyed dozens of buildings weekly and claimed that his actions saved many soldiers’ lives. However, he also expressed satisfaction with the scale of Gaza’s destruction, lamenting only that the town of Beit Hanoun had been “half-destroyed,” implying that further demolition was warranted.

The rabbi’s rhetoric has invoked religious symbolism, including references to the Ninth of Av, a Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of ancient temples. He has advocated for rebuilding Israeli settlements in Gaza following the campaign’s heavy destruction. This combination of militarism and religious nationalism earned Zarbiv a significant following, with some supporters adopting his name as a verb signifying widespread destruction.

The decision to have Zarbiv light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony — a role traditionally reserved for national figures deemed exemplary — drew criticism from opposition politicians and others who see it as emblematic of the government’s shift toward more extreme positions. Miri Regev, the government minister overseeing the event, defended the choice, stating that Zarbiv represents “a generation that does not shirk its responsibility.”

Critics, including Democrats party leader Yair Golan, accused the Netanyahu government of promoting a radical agenda and endorsing extremist views. Internationally, Israel’s military campaign and the extensive damage in Gaza have prompted widespread condemnation. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, alleging war crimes — accusations Israel vehemently denies.

In the months following a cease-fire, large numbers of Palestinians remain displaced within Gaza, many living in inadequate conditions with homes destroyed. The United Nations estimates that over $70 billion will be required for reconstruction, but progress has stalled amid ongoing disagreements over peace and security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Zarbiv has expanded his activities to southern Lebanon, where Israel has conducted further demolitions amid rising tensions. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed to continue razing towns there, reflecting a continuation of the hardline approach seen in Gaza.