The Defense Minister spoke this morning (Thursday) to a conference of NATO defense ministers convening in Brussels. Minister Gallant provided them with a survey of the brutal and cruel attack by Hamas against the citizens of Israel - babies, women, and children.
At the end of the talk, Gallant thanked them for the important platform expressing his personal thanks to American Defense Secretary Austin for his work in supporting Israeli security.
Gallant Presents an Uncensored Massacre Film to NATO Leaders
During the speech, the Defense Minister presented the 31 ministers with an uncensored film of the horrors of the massacre, decapitation of soldiers, burning of civilians, and abuse of the captives.
In his speech, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: "This week, I visited the south. I walked down the streets of kibbutz Beeri. This kibbutz was built by Holocaust survivors. They worked the land and built beautiful, peaceful communities. I walked from house to house and saw the bodies of our pioneers, the Holocaust survivors, burned alive. Children were tied up and shot. Yes, I repeat - children tied up and shot. Young girls were raped violently and kidnapped or killed. They were dragged to Gaza, to the sound of cheering, while blood was dripping down their legs...dozens of citizens from your countries have been murdered or kidnapped."
He continued: "An event of this kind has not happened to the Jewish People since 1945. Over 100 kidnapped, over 1,000 murdered, over 3,000 injured, over 5,000 rockets fired and counting."
Despite this he expressed confidence in the strength of the citizens and soldiers of Israel: "We have been hit hard. Yet, make no mistake, 2023 is not 1943. We are the same Jews, but we have different abilities. The State of Israel is strong, we are united and powerful. Our brave soldiers and civilians fought and killed hundreds of terrorists...We have begun to respond. Our Air Force has destroyed Hamas command centers, weapon factories, and terror infrastructure."
"This is a war on our future. We will change reality on the ground. The ISIS of Gaza will not exist on our border. The IDF will destroy Hamas, and we will hunt down every last man with the blood of our children on his hand(s). It will be a long and difficult war, but we will prevail. And despite the difficult events, we are prepared to defend our citizens against any threat."
He ended by expressing gratitude for all the support: "I would like to express how deeply moved I have been by your solidarity. Israel's flags shown across Europe. Public statements by leaders. Personal calls I continue to receive from my colleagues. And to the United States, my dear friend, Secretary Austin, you have shown us what it means to be an ally, to be a brother, to be a friend. My friends, this is not just our war. This is a war on freedom, this is a war on the values of humankind."
