Exiting stage, Gallant tells hostage families IDF has no reason to remain in Gaza

Outgoing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly told families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel’s military has no reason to remain in the Strip.

According to reports in Hebrew media, Gallant told the families that he and IDF head Herzi Halevi were both skeptical of claims that there were security or diplomatic justifications for leaving troops in the Strip.

“I can tell you what there was not, security considerations. Me and the IDF chief said there was no security reason for remaining in the Philadelphi Corridor,” he is quoted saying by Channel 12 news, referring to a strip of land in Gaza.

“Netanyahu said that it was a diplomatic consideration, I’m telling you there was no diplomatic consideration,” he added, according to the report, which is seemingly based on accounts from families who attended the meeting.

“There’s nothing left in Gaza to do. The major achievements have been achieved,” he’s quoted saying. “I fear we are staying there just because there is a desire to be there.”

He also said the idea that Israel must remain in Gaza to create stability was “an inappropriate idea to risk soldiers’ lives over,” reports say.

The comments are the starkest yet highlighting differences between Gallant, who backed a ceasefire deal to bring hostages home, and Netanyahu, who fired his defense chief on Tuesday. Gallant’s ouster officially goes into effect in two hours.