Nikki Haley Writes ‘Finish Them!’ on Israeli Artillery Shell as Attacks on Gaza Continue Killing Civilians

Nikki Haley signed an artillery shell with the inscription “Finish them!” during a visit to Israel this week, according to photos shared by the Israeli politician accompanying her.

The former South Carolina governor — who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and who recently dropped out of the Republican presidential primaries — joined current Knesset member and former U.N. Envoy Danny Danon for a tour of Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was destroyed by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Danon, 53, shared images to his social media that show Haley, 52, writing on the Israeli explosive. “Finish them! This is what my friend, the former ambassador, Nikki Haley, wrote today on a shell during a visit to an artillery post on the northern border,” Danon wrote in an Instagram post. 

Haley’s note also read, “America <3 Israel always,” followed by her signature. 

Along with Danon’s post, Israeli journalist Noa Magid published the image on X (formerly known as Twitter). Israel-based news site i24 also published the photos.

Haley has used the phrase "finish them" before, seemingly in reference to Hamas, on Instagram and in interviews.

A representative for Haley did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Tuesday.

Haley’s Middle East visit comes amid Israel's continued offensive in Gaza.

Over the weekend, Israel Defense Forces struck a tent camp in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, which was previously considered a safe zone for displaced Palestinians. The strike killed 45 people who were seeking refuge and injured 200 more, per CNN. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "tragic mistake."

Per Reuters, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose data has not been independently verified. Women and children comprise most of the fatalities, the Health Ministry has said.

The Israel-Gaza war began on Oct. 7, after Hamas militants attacked southern Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 people hostage, according to Israel. The nation responded by promising a "complete siege" of Gaza.

Haley recently called on the U.S. government to continue providing military aid to the Israel to support its war against Hamas, per the Associated Press.

Haley reentered the spotlight this month after laying low following her withdrawal from the presidential race.

On May 22, while delivering remarks in Washington, D.C., Haley said she planned to vote for Donald Trump in November.

Trump previously selected Haley to be the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. in January 2017, a role she held until her resignation in December 2018 — but on the 2024 campaign trail, their relationship grew tense.

"Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me, and not assume that they’re just going to be with him," Haley said while offering a tepid endorsement. "And I genuinely hope he does that."