During his visit to the northern border, Defense Minister Gallant met today (Wednesday) with reservists and talked with them about their operational activities in the area. The minister heard the various difficulties of the reservists and emphasized his commitment to expanding the benefits and improving the economic and civil conditions for them.
The minister reassured the fighters and said that "the security system really appreciates what the reservists do. The commitment, the performance and the persistence in this prolonged situation. And on the other hand, in this reality the first thing that needs to be taken care of is that the reserve forces have the strength to continue.
"So alongside the fact that we need clear tasks and resources to implement them, we need to take care of the reservists and I am focused on this thought just as I am focused on the need to eliminate Hamas in Gaza and create a different reality in the north. I am aware that the reservist not only needs care but also abilities - for his family, social security, education, employment, business and of course for studies.
"We are looking at all these things seriously to see how we solve the matter. This is true for all your commanders, from the battalion commanders to the Chief of Staff, everyone along the way, we are considering how we do it. Anyone who thought it was possible to work without a reserve force understands exactly what it is about. I tell you this as one who was both a reservist and a commander of many reserve forces throughout his service."
We hope to reach an agreement with Hezbollah, if not - we will go to war
In his words to the fighters, Gallant presented the army's plans and said that "with regard to the missions, things should be clear - with Hamas we are going to victory, for all that is implied. The elimination of the governmental and military infrastructures and the return of the hostages back to our territories.
"In the north, we are preparing all the possibilities, first of all strong defense systems for the coming year, even after that, which at first will include a much better order of forces, where there is a battalion there will be a brigade and so on. Second thing - we will start establishing the infrastructure in the field, both in means and in protection. The third thing - we are conducting a firefight here, mainly with Hezbollah, our results are very impressive.
"We will reach an agreement process, as a result of which Hezbollah will understand what is happening here and has a very good memory of what is happening in Gaza. When it sees the picture of Gaza, it understands that the same picture can be made in Beirut, the picture is clear to it, this is one option which is the preferred option.
"The second option, I'm afraid that Hezbollah wants to reach it, is a war option, to go and fight us and deteriorate the situation. This will be examined when the residents arrive after they have been given the appropriate conditions. If it goes for this option, you have to give the backup. We have to be ready for that."
