Gallant tells Austin ‘our common enemies are watching,’ cautions war in Gaza will take time

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant touts Israel-US ties as he holds a joint press conference with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin.

“The United States and Israel have never been more determined and aligned in our shared values, our shared interests and our shared goals,” Gallant says, speaking in English.

“You have shown the people of Israel and the entire world what it means to be a leader and a partner. There is no greater projection of our intimate ties than sitting together… discussing the most sensitive issues on the agenda in full transparency and trust,” he tells Austin.

“We stand here 72 days into a war we didn’t want. On October 7, Hamas conducted a brutal attack. They murdered, raped and kidnapped women, children, soldiers, Holocaust survivors.”

Gallant reiterates the goals of the war in Gaza: destroying Hamas and returning the hostages “with no exception.”

“Our common enemies around the world are watching and they know that [an] Israeli victory is a victory of the free world led by the United States,” the defense minister says.

He also stresses the Israeli offensive is aimed at Hamas.

“We are fighting against a brutal enemy that hides behind civilians,” Gallant says, adding that “IDF troops are operating in Hamas hotspots around Gaza.”

He vows Israel will continue operating in Gaza “until we fully achieve our goals.”

Turning to Austin, Gallant says, “We both know the complexities of war. We both fought brutal terror organizations, we know that it takes time.”

“Unlike our enemies, we are defending our values and we operate according to international law,” he says, stressing that the army is working to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians.

“We are also working with international partners to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, but anytime we discuss humanitarian issues we must remember 129 hostages are held in Gaza. This is the most humanitarian issue.”