Yoav Gallant, expressed gratitude to the United States (US) Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, as he completes his role Israel’s Minister of Defence.
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| US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin and Israel Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant. Photo: @yoavgallant |
Gallant said, “wherever I am, I will work to achieve the goals of the war.”
According to Gallant: “As I complete my role as Israel’s Minister of Defense, I spoke this evening with my friend, U.S.
@secdef
Lloyd Austin. I expressed my deep appreciation to the Secretary for his partnership and deep commitment to the defense cooperation between our countries, and to the security of the State of Israel. Secretary Austin stood by my side in Israel just a few days following the October 7th attack, and he has stood with Israel ever since.
Thank you to Secretary Austin and the U.S. Administration for your extraordinary support during Israel’s darkest hour. It has been my honor and privilege to serve my country and to work together in further deepening the bond between our nations. Our ties are critical to the security and prosperity of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. And we must remember that the United States and Israel are beacons of light, freedom, and progress in this world – our special bond must remain powerful and unshakeable.”
He continued: “In salute to the fighters, the fallen, the wounded and the kidnapped:
I started my last day as Minister of Defense with the fighters in Lebanon – the impressive achievements of the IDF fighters are observed all over the Middle East and bring us closer to achieving our goal – it is possible and necessary to return the residents of the north, while ensuring their safety and active enforcement against any terrorist attempt by Hezbollah forces.
The reservists I spoke with are currently marking 200 days of reserve service since the beginning of the war – 200 days in which family and work are left behind, the reservists show up for every mission, risking their lives and making great sacrifices.
This time too, they emphasized to the fighters that they expect a change – recruitment of additional fighters from all parts of society and significant recognition for them and their families.
From there, I continued to the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul, to visit the graves of the soldiers – in the old plots where my comrades in arms who fell decades ago are buried and in the fresh plots of the Iron Swords War, rows and rows of which continue to be filled to the heart’s content.
At Beit HaLochem in Tel Aviv, together with the members of the IDF Disabled Organization close to my heart, I closely observed the impressive rehabilitation operations that are being carried out there – our commitment to the wounded in body and soul is unquestionable, it is a duty that contains a great privilege.
At the end of the day, I met in my office with the families of the abductees held captive in the Gaza Strip – the fighters, the martyrs and the wounded, did everything to achieve the goals of the war, they dismantled the Hamas organization and created the conditions for the return of the abductees, but in order to see them at home, we will have to make painful compromises – the security system will know to deal with the constraints, and the IDF knew how to return and fight wherever needed.
Last and especially important, the dedicated people of my office – who stood by my side in the last two years, initiated important processes and worked for the strengthening of Israel’s security.
In all the meetings, I emphasized that wherever I am, I will work to achieve the goals of the war, first of all – establishing Israel’s victory in the war.
Strengthening deterrence and building the strength of the IDF, returning the kidnapped, returning the residents of the north and south to their homes and expanding the ranks of the IDF – this is the order of the hour, this is a conscientious order, this is our moral, national and Zionist duty.”
As I complete my role as Israel’s Minister of Defense, I spoke this evening with my friend, U.S. @secdef Lloyd Austin. I expressed my deep appreciation to the Secretary for his partnership and deep commitment to the defense cooperation between our countries, and to the security… pic.twitter.com/SHJBHOynAk
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 7, 2024
בהצדעה ללוחמים, לנופלים, לפצועים ולחטופים:
את היום האחרון בתפקיד שר הביטחון התחלתי עם הלוחמים בלבנון – ההישגים המרשימים של לוחמי צה״ל נצפים בכל רחבי המזרח התיכון ומקרבים אותנו להשגת מטרתנו – אפשר וצריך להשיב את תושבי הצפון, תוך הבטחת ביטחונם ואכיפה אקטיבית נגד כל ניסיון טרור של… pic.twitter.com/oYvxiGnTym
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 7, 2024
