Gallant: Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas hoping to turn Ramadan into ‘second stage of October 7’

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel has identified that Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas are aiming to take advantage of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and turn it into “the second stage of October 7, and ignite the ground.”

Speaking during an assessment at the IDF Central Command, Gallant says, “Hamas’s main goal is to take Ramadan, with an emphasis on the Temple Mount and Jerusalem, and turn it into the second phase of their plan that began on October 7. This is the main goal of Hamas, it is being amplified by Iran and Hezbollah.”

“We must not give Hamas what it has not been able to achieve since the beginning of the war and converge the combat fronts,” Gallant warns.

In comments apparently aimed at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Gallant warns against “irresponsible statements from people who are supposed to be responsible” that could result in an escalation within a short time.

Ben Gvir has sought to impose restrictions on West Bank Palestinians and prevent them from praying at the Temple Mount during Ramadan, and is even reportedly pushing for banning Arab Israeli citizens below the age of 70 from visiting the site amid the month of fasting.