All articles tagged with #defense minister yoav gallant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that he will not compromise on the demilitarization of Gaza and emphasized the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region. He also highlighted the return of hostages as a war objective and reiterated his stance to US President Joe Biden. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Israeli Air Force units and emphasized the continued military operations in Gaza until the goals are achieved.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that if the war against Hamas ends without the release of hostages in Gaza, they could be held captive for years. Hamas released a video claiming that two hostages were dead, but Israeli officials disputed the claims. Efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives have hit a deadlock, with Hamas demanding a permanent ceasefire and Israel aiming to dismantle the terror group. US President Joe Biden pledged to continue diplomatic efforts to free the hostages, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to their safe return.
Senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visited troops near the Gaza border and spoke of an imminent large-scale ground campaign against Hamas. They warned that the fighting would be difficult, long, and intense but expressed confidence in achieving victory. The head of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, also emphasized that the expected ground offensive would be long and intense. The Israeli government has urged residents of northern Gaza to evacuate as preparations for intensified operations in the area continue. The US has been pressing Israel to devise an exit strategy, while Israel remains focused on removing Hamas from power in Gaza.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant showed uncensored footage of Hamas's brutal atrocities in Israel to NATO ministers, highlighting the atrocities committed against children, women, men, and the elderly. He emphasized that the Jewish people would not be slaughtered en masse as they were in the Holocaust, stating that Israel is strong and united. Gallant condemned Hamas as the "ISIS of Gaza" and vowed to destroy the organization. He expressed appreciation for global solidarity with Israel, particularly from the United States. The US has shown support by sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken and deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea.