Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a press conference this evening (Monday) and commented on the fighting in the Gaza Strip: "Today is the fifth candle of Hanukkah, over two months ago a war was launched against us that brought great darkness, today IDF soldiers are bringing light in points in the Gaza Strip, it will increase. We are in the midst of a difficult but just war for the desire to live in this place. A war for the future of the Jewish people is a just war and we will win it.
"At the beginning of the war, we set two goals: to eliminate Hamas as a military and governmental framework and to return the abductees to their homes and to their country, I assure you that we will meet these tasks. We are making progress in the battles. They are on the verge of disbanding. The number of surrenders shows what is happening. And when they come out, they tell us: 'we lack weapons, we have no food, we feel isolated,' they say one more thing, their commanders betrayed them. 'They are hiding deep underground and we have been sent to our deaths.' Among those who surrender are terrorists who participated in the events of October 7.
"Those who raped women and murdered children have one option: die or surrender, and when they surrender they lay down their weapons and tell us interesting things. We are nearing a breaking point in the north of the Gaza Strip and in Gaza City and we will continue. The future of the other battalions is the same, we will dismantle them. I call on those regiments to surrender."
Hamas terrorists have two options: surrender or die
"If you surrender, you can save your life, if not your sentence has been passed, the terrorist has the option of exiting the tunnel, surrendering unconditionally or dying. Recently I have been hearing about the discourse of the leaders of Hamas who are discussing their future, I tell them the sentence of Sinwar and every terrorist is to surrender or die. Those who surrender will be dealt with in a certain way, everyone else, their fate is decided, they will find their death.
"I want to use this opportunity on Hanukkah to thank our friend the USA, it has greatness, we see the same values and interests, we are at the forefront of the war of the children of light against the children of darkness, with their help we will succeed, thanks for the assistance of Biden and Secretary of State Austin, they are friends." For those countries that vote differently, it is impossible to call for the elimination of Hamas, the ISIS of Gaza, and on the other hand to call for a ceasefire. The decision is simple - until victory. You cannot live with such phenomena.
"The IDF will turn every stone to return the abductees to their homes, we are committed to this and so am I personally. This is an opportunity to once again demand from the Red Cross organization to live up to what is expected of it, we have reached an agreement that the Red Cross will visit the abductees, I call on them to bring a sign of life from the abductees, women, elders, female and male soldiers, to visit them. A humanitarian issue is not only what is happening in Gaza but also with the abductees."
An amazing expression of national resilience
"This is a difficult battle that will take time, we will win it, the victory will be achieved thanks to the national determination to unite as one society and bring about victory. In recent days I have seen unusual phenomena of determination, yesterday I met the recruits of Golani and Modiin at the reception and sorting base and I saw that they are fighting for their place, they know that they are endangering themselves, but they say we want to reach the frontline.
"I think it's an amazing expression of national resilience, it's not just there, I meet the reservists every day, I saw the determination, they say we will continue until victory, will it be a month, two months, a year. I say to the reservists, you are entitled to three things, tasks, their realization and appropriate treatment. We will take care of your well-being, your education and your families."
This is a just, essential war for our future
"It is our duty as a society to allow them to carry out their tasks, this is a just, essential war, for our future, there is someone to rely on, the regular and reserve soldiers, the Shin Bet and the Mossad. I want to express my appreciation for the manner in which the fighting was conducted to the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet and the Mossad. They put pride in our hearts, I am convinced that we will win and with God's help we will implement our goals."
Regarding the issue of the abductees, he answered: "The only way to bring about the release of more abductees is to hit Hamas hard, I believe that if we increase the attacks, proposals will also come and we will consider them." Gallant also addressed the question of workers from Judea and Samaria to Israel: "My firm opinion is that workers should be brought in so as not to increase the pressure in Judea and Samaria."
Regarding the northern sector, the Minister of Defense said: "We are not interested in war, but in order to bring the residents back, Hezbollah must be driven away through international pressure or through our own aggressive action. Regarding the control of the Strip, the Minister said: "Whoever controls Gaza will not be Hamas, but neither will the State of Israel, we are open to the ideas of a government that will not want to harm us and we will maintain the freedom to protect Israel's security."
