Defense Minister Yoav Gallant conducted a security briefing for the public this evening (Saturday), addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the northern border. During the day, Gantz visited the northern and southern sectors, where situation assessments were held, presenting to him the activities of the forces and their preparedness for the continuation of the conflict.
"During Shabbat, I visited the north and the south, met with reserve units, brigade commanders, battalion commanders, and soldiers. I saw one message that emerges from these encounters – they said they want to fight until victory," said Gallant. "We've come from all over Israel and from abroad, and we'll stay here until victory, whether it takes a month or a year. It fills me with pride; we have people ready to do everything until we win, until the last minute. This determination characterizes the entire Israeli public – Jews, Druze, Bedouins. The nation of Israel can be proud that the entire nation stands as one and says there is no place for Hamas – the ISIS of Gaza, because it's a central matter in the eyes of the fighters."
According to him, "the fighting is progressing well. During Shabbat, there were fierce battles within Gaza. We completed the encirclement a few days ago, and forces have entered the urban areas. They are fighting against terrorists, destroying infrastructure, bunkers, tunnels, and utilizing all the power of the IDF from the air, sea, and land. The terrorists are encountering the concentrated force of the IDF – artillery shells, airstrikes, engineering units, and infantry. The forces are advancing step by step, and Hamas battalions are suffering heavy losses."
He also noted, "12 battalion commanders of Hamas have already been eliminated, and the hand is still extended. We will reach all of them – in the command chain and the terrorists in the field. Hamas doesn't know borders; Israeli residents were already exposed to this on October 7th. The responsibility for this lies with the top leadership of Hamas, and we will reach them and eliminate them. I also say to the residents of Gaza – if you reach Yahya Sinwar before us, it will shorten the war."
Regarding the northern sector: "We have no interest in going to war with Hezbollah. The Air Force preserves its strength to respond to developments in the north, but if Nasrallah makes the same mistake as Sinwar and drags Hezbollah into a war – it will have consequences for Lebanon as well, and it will determine Lebanon's fate."
"We expect long days ahead; it won't take a day or a week. The process continues step by step," concluded Gallant. "One thing I can say to the citizens of Israel – at the end of the war, there will be no more Hamas, and there will be no more threat from Gaza."