Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met today (Thursday) with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is in Israel to discuss the war against Hamas with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders.
During the meeting at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, the two discussed operational developments in Gaza, the northern border with Lebanon, and the need to enable Israeli citizens to return to their homes in the north. They also discussed various threats in the Middle East region including Iranian aggression via its proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. Minister Gallant emphasized that the State of Israel will support international efforts in countering naval threats and will defend itself against any threat.
Minister Gallant expressed his deep appreciation to the U.S. Administration for the ongoing support provided to the State of Israel in its efforts to return home the hostages and to achieve its operational goal of dismantling the Hamas terrorist organization.
“Mr Sullivan, thank you for coming to Israel during this period of war - we appreciate it very much. We appreciate your personal commitment to the State of Israel - to releasing the hostages, and to the diplomatic effort [you are leading] and your support in the military channel. Thank you,” Gallant said.
“The United States and Israel share common interests, common values and in this war, we [also] share common goals. This is important to the State of Israel and it is essential to the rest of the region, to the Middle East,” the Defense Minister added.
“It is not easy to take a democracy into war, but once we are in the war, we will prevail because we are fighting for the right issues and for the right values. Thank you for standing side by side with us.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization that built itself over a decade to fight Israel,. and they built infrastructure under the ground and above the ground, and it is not easy to destroy them. It will require a long period of time - it will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them [Hamas]. So thank you once again for coming to Israel, for helping us and for supporting us, and I look forward to our meeting,” Gallant concluded.
While the war continues in Gaza, terrorist organizations in Lebanon continue to attack northern Israel.
Earlier, the IDF announced that a terrorist cell operating in the area of Shtula in the Upper Galilee attempted to launch an anti-tank missile at Israeli territory. IDF soldiers struck the terrorist cell. In addition, IDF tanks struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon.
In addition, following the sirens sounding in northern Israel, launches were identified from Lebanon toward the area of Yiftah and Margaliot in northern Israel, that fell in open areas. No injuries were reported. The IDF struck the sources of the fire.
Furthermore, IDF artillery struck a number of areas in Lebanon.