Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a statement (Thursday) to the media from the Kiriya IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv on the continued fighting against Hamas terrorists.
"These are trying times. This is a war against young children, women, and Holocaust survivors. This is a war of murder, rape, kidnapping, and looting [by the Hamas terrorist organization]. Hamas launched this war in order to deter us, and to destroy the desire of Israeli people to live here. This is a war on our home. It's either us or them. And we will win.
I saw civilians fiercely defending their children. I saw soldiers charge in front of the enemy’s fire. I saw battalion commanders take grenades from the bodies of terrorists, and throwing them into the next room, before charging in. I saw brigade commanders fall in battle, and division commanders personally leading the fighting from room to room, from town to town. In their efforts, they stopped the progression of the enemy into the depth of Israel, and prevented the enemy from harming additional civilians. Thanks to their efforts, they prevented the enemy from advancing deep into Israel."
The Minister of Defense added, "We are creating the conditions for the continuation of the military campaign, there will be more stages," he said, "1,400 of our civilians and soldiers were killed in battle and there are 224 hostages. I am determined, along with the entire defense establishment to bring home those who are held hostage, to reunite the with their families. It is my absolute priority, alongside our efforts to leave this war victorious."
"Such an event has not happened to our country in its 75 years of existence. What will happen to us in the next 75 years depends on what will happen in this battle."
Gallant referred to the military front in the north, "Hezbollah is suffering many casualties, but we have no interest in expanding the war. If it happens, the ground forces are ready for defense and the air force for attack."
Gallant was asked who would investigate the failure, "We should all be in forward motion and not in reverse. There will be time for that."