1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:08,060 --> 00:00:10,227 Good evening everyone . Uh Minister of 3 00:00:10,227 --> 00:00:12,449 Defense Y Gallant and US , Secretary of 4 00:00:12,449 --> 00:00:14,560 Defense Lloyd Austin will now deliver 5 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:17,500 remarks . Um Please have your phones on 6 00:00:17,510 --> 00:00:19,454 silent if possible . Starting with 7 00:00:19,454 --> 00:00:21,510 Minister Gallant , please . Minister 8 00:00:23,180 --> 00:00:26,440 Secretary Austin , the United States 9 00:00:26,450 --> 00:00:28,950 and Israel have never been more 10 00:00:28,959 --> 00:00:32,700 determined and aligned in our shared 11 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,919 values , our shared interests and our 12 00:00:35,930 --> 00:00:38,569 shared goals . My friend , General 13 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,599 Austin , you have shown the people of 14 00:00:41,610 --> 00:00:45,560 Israel and the entire world what it 15 00:00:45,569 --> 00:00:49,229 means to be a leader and a partner . 16 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,349 There is no greater projection of our 17 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:56,319 intimate ties than sitting together 18 00:00:56,590 --> 00:00:59,360 with General Brown and General Levy 19 00:01:00,159 --> 00:01:03,060 discussing the most sensitive issues on 20 00:01:03,069 --> 00:01:06,949 the agenda in full transparency 21 00:01:07,059 --> 00:01:10,839 and trust . Thank you , Secretary for 22 00:01:10,849 --> 00:01:13,269 your deep commitment to Israel's 23 00:01:13,279 --> 00:01:17,019 security . We stand 24 00:01:17,029 --> 00:01:20,750 here 72 days into a war 25 00:01:21,230 --> 00:01:24,830 that we didn't want on October 7th . 26 00:01:25,239 --> 00:01:29,010 Hamas conduct a brutal attack . They 27 00:01:29,019 --> 00:01:31,680 murdered , raped and kidnapped 28 00:01:32,290 --> 00:01:36,209 Children , women soldiers , 29 00:01:36,290 --> 00:01:39,760 Holocaust survivors on October 7th . 30 00:01:40,010 --> 00:01:43,709 We fought back and immediately set the 31 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,860 goals of this war , the destruction of 32 00:01:46,870 --> 00:01:49,980 Hamas and the return of the hostages 33 00:01:49,989 --> 00:01:52,699 home . With no exception , 34 00:01:56,010 --> 00:01:58,769 our common enemies around the world are 35 00:01:58,779 --> 00:02:01,959 watching and they know that Israel 36 00:02:01,970 --> 00:02:05,510 victory is the victory of the free 37 00:02:05,519 --> 00:02:08,429 world led by the United States of 38 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,880 America . In our war 39 00:02:11,929 --> 00:02:14,710 against Hamas , the Hamas terrorist 40 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,199 organization is a war 41 00:02:19,479 --> 00:02:22,220 not a war against the people of Gaza . 42 00:02:23,119 --> 00:02:25,940 We are fighting a brutal enemy that 43 00:02:25,949 --> 00:02:29,649 hides behind civilians . Billions of 44 00:02:29,660 --> 00:02:32,490 dollars have been invested in Gaza 45 00:02:34,350 --> 00:02:37,419 money that should have gone to civilian 46 00:02:37,429 --> 00:02:40,779 infrastructure and instead was used to 47 00:02:40,789 --> 00:02:44,720 build a network of tunnels , hundreds 48 00:02:44,729 --> 00:02:48,100 of kilometers long equipped by 49 00:02:48,110 --> 00:02:50,559 military facilities . 50 00:02:52,580 --> 00:02:56,330 Today , IDF troops are operating in 51 00:02:56,339 --> 00:02:59,880 Hamas hot spots across Gaza in 52 00:02:59,889 --> 00:03:02,509 northern Gaza , our troops have 53 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:04,779 eliminated thousands of terrorists 54 00:03:05,250 --> 00:03:09,080 destroyed military infrastructure and 55 00:03:09,089 --> 00:03:12,669 dismantled most of the battalions 56 00:03:12,679 --> 00:03:16,550 operating in the area in South Gaza in 57 00:03:16,610 --> 00:03:20,320 Khanun . We are precise and focused 58 00:03:20,770 --> 00:03:23,520 on eliminating Hamas leadership and 59 00:03:23,529 --> 00:03:27,419 military infrastructure , detecting 60 00:03:27,429 --> 00:03:30,100 and engaging Hamas leadership and the 61 00:03:30,110 --> 00:03:33,309 chain of command span over the phases 62 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,979 of this war and will continue until 63 00:03:37,339 --> 00:03:39,669 we fully achieve our goals . 64 00:03:41,740 --> 00:03:45,190 Secretary Austin , we both know the 65 00:03:45,410 --> 00:03:48,830 complexities of war . We both fought 66 00:03:49,089 --> 00:03:51,839 brutal terrorist organizations . We 67 00:03:51,850 --> 00:03:55,509 know that it takes time unlike our 68 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:59,440 enemies . We are defending our values 69 00:03:59,589 --> 00:04:02,330 and we operate according to 70 00:04:02,339 --> 00:04:05,500 international law , the IDF is 71 00:04:05,509 --> 00:04:09,100 operating to minimize the harm to the 72 00:04:09,110 --> 00:04:13,009 civilian population . We are also 73 00:04:13,020 --> 00:04:16,040 working with international partners to 74 00:04:16,049 --> 00:04:19,559 facilitate the delivery of humanitarian 75 00:04:19,570 --> 00:04:23,410 aid . Yet any time we discuss 76 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:26,359 humanitarian issues , we must remember 77 00:04:27,630 --> 00:04:31,429 the 129 hostages were 78 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:35,170 held in Gaza . This is the most 79 00:04:35,179 --> 00:04:37,000 humanitarian issue 80 00:04:39,559 --> 00:04:43,220 on October 8th a day after Hamas attack . 81 00:04:43,899 --> 00:04:46,339 Hezbollah opened fire , unprovoked 82 00:04:47,820 --> 00:04:50,579 the threat of rockets , missiles and 83 00:04:50,589 --> 00:04:54,209 drones is unacceptable . Over 84 00:04:54,220 --> 00:04:57,250 80,000 citizens have been 85 00:04:57,260 --> 00:05:00,720 displaced , living as refugees in their 86 00:05:00,730 --> 00:05:03,859 own country . We are determined to 87 00:05:03,869 --> 00:05:06,380 create a new reality , restoring 88 00:05:06,399 --> 00:05:10,350 security in the area based on un 89 00:05:10,359 --> 00:05:14,339 resolution 1701 , pushing back 90 00:05:14,470 --> 00:05:18,220 Hezbollah , we will bring 91 00:05:18,230 --> 00:05:21,000 back the residents of the north to 92 00:05:21,010 --> 00:05:24,339 their homes on the border after food 93 00:05:24,350 --> 00:05:28,130 security will be restored . We 94 00:05:28,140 --> 00:05:30,559 prefer to do so via 95 00:05:31,529 --> 00:05:34,380 understanding , ensuring that the 96 00:05:34,390 --> 00:05:37,230 border region is clear of terrorists 97 00:05:37,420 --> 00:05:40,380 and does not allow direct threats of 98 00:05:40,390 --> 00:05:44,149 our citizens . If such a process 99 00:05:44,470 --> 00:05:47,239 will not be implemented diplomatically , 100 00:05:47,570 --> 00:05:50,470 we will not hesitate to act 101 00:05:52,250 --> 00:05:55,910 today . We also discuss the growing 102 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,859 global threat posed by the Houthis 103 00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:02,970 terrorist organization . Their action 104 00:06:03,959 --> 00:06:06,100 threaten international freedom of 105 00:06:06,109 --> 00:06:09,119 navigation and their reckless behavior , 106 00:06:09,510 --> 00:06:12,000 firing ballistic missiles whose 107 00:06:12,010 --> 00:06:15,959 missiles and drones against Israel can 108 00:06:15,970 --> 00:06:19,239 drag the region into war . The state of 109 00:06:19,250 --> 00:06:22,779 Israel values us leadership 110 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:26,140 and we will support international 111 00:06:26,149 --> 00:06:29,500 efforts . At the same time , we 112 00:06:29,510 --> 00:06:32,820 maintain the right to take all the 113 00:06:32,829 --> 00:06:35,579 actions necessary to defend our 114 00:06:35,589 --> 00:06:37,940 sovereignty and our citizens , 115 00:06:40,549 --> 00:06:44,100 Hamas Hezbollah and the Houthis are 116 00:06:44,109 --> 00:06:47,519 funded , supported and trained by one 117 00:06:47,529 --> 00:06:50,859 source of evil Iran . And 118 00:06:50,869 --> 00:06:53,450 unfortunately , this is only their 119 00:06:53,459 --> 00:06:57,290 secondary effort . Iran's major effort 120 00:06:57,350 --> 00:07:00,250 is acquiring military nuclear 121 00:07:00,260 --> 00:07:04,119 capabilities and this continues 122 00:07:04,290 --> 00:07:08,250 even now , we are aware of their 123 00:07:08,260 --> 00:07:11,890 actions and we are ready to defend 124 00:07:11,899 --> 00:07:15,709 ourselves . We must 125 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,649 take a stand , the world is watching us 126 00:07:18,660 --> 00:07:22,660 now . This includes our enemies , Hamas 127 00:07:22,670 --> 00:07:26,119 Hezbollah and Iran . The image they see 128 00:07:26,130 --> 00:07:29,459 today is powerful as we stand here . 129 00:07:29,519 --> 00:07:33,299 United . We are resilient and 130 00:07:33,309 --> 00:07:36,859 determined and we will win on every 131 00:07:36,869 --> 00:07:39,769 front . Thank you . Once once again , 132 00:07:39,779 --> 00:07:42,579 Mr Secretary , thank you for coming and 133 00:07:42,589 --> 00:07:44,589 thank you for your support and your 134 00:07:44,589 --> 00:07:48,320 friendship . Thank you very much . Well , 135 00:07:48,329 --> 00:07:50,890 good afternoon , everybody you have . 136 00:07:50,899 --> 00:07:53,529 We've been talking almost daily by 137 00:07:53,540 --> 00:07:56,170 phone , so it's good to see you once 138 00:07:56,179 --> 00:07:58,880 again in person . And it's good to be 139 00:07:58,890 --> 00:08:02,359 back in Israel even in these difficult 140 00:08:02,369 --> 00:08:06,220 days , especially in these 141 00:08:06,230 --> 00:08:09,299 difficult days . This is my fourth 142 00:08:09,309 --> 00:08:11,619 visit to Israel as Secretary of Defense 143 00:08:12,260 --> 00:08:15,269 and my second time since October 7th . 144 00:08:16,329 --> 00:08:18,119 And I know that Israel has been 145 00:08:18,130 --> 00:08:21,190 profoundly changed from where you were 146 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:24,440 on October 6th . So I'm here with a 147 00:08:24,450 --> 00:08:28,070 clear message , America's support for 148 00:08:28,079 --> 00:08:31,679 Israel's security is unshakeable in 149 00:08:31,690 --> 00:08:34,690 Israel is not alone 150 00:08:37,460 --> 00:08:40,479 at a time of mourning . A real friend 151 00:08:40,489 --> 00:08:43,409 shows up and I know how terrible these 152 00:08:43,419 --> 00:08:45,641 days have been for the Israeli people . 153 00:08:46,599 --> 00:08:49,500 And I know that October 7th touched 154 00:08:49,510 --> 00:08:53,380 everyone in the small democracy . So 155 00:08:53,390 --> 00:08:55,200 let me again extend my deepest 156 00:08:55,210 --> 00:08:57,859 condolences to Minister Gadi Eisen Cot 157 00:08:58,919 --> 00:09:02,799 who has been sitting Shiva for 158 00:09:02,809 --> 00:09:06,099 his 25 year old son and mourning his 159 00:09:06,109 --> 00:09:09,099 nephew after they both fell in Gaza 160 00:09:10,619 --> 00:09:14,619 on October 7th . Hamas committed one 161 00:09:14,630 --> 00:09:16,919 of the worst atrocities in the history 162 00:09:16,929 --> 00:09:20,210 of modern terrorism . As president by 163 00:09:20,239 --> 00:09:24,020 said , it was an act of sheer evil , 164 00:09:25,479 --> 00:09:27,900 innocent young people at a concert were 165 00:09:27,909 --> 00:09:31,830 massacred , parents were shot 166 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:35,039 in front of their Children . Women were 167 00:09:35,049 --> 00:09:38,679 sexually assaulted , toddlers and 168 00:09:38,690 --> 00:09:41,469 Holocaust survivors were taken hostage . 169 00:09:42,950 --> 00:09:45,820 And for Hamas , that was just the 170 00:09:45,830 --> 00:09:48,919 beginning , Hamas has clearly and 171 00:09:48,929 --> 00:09:50,985 loudly spelled out its vision of the 172 00:09:50,985 --> 00:09:54,580 future and it is to repeat 173 00:09:54,590 --> 00:09:58,119 October 7th over and over 174 00:09:58,340 --> 00:10:02,169 and over again , no 175 00:10:02,179 --> 00:10:04,401 country should tolerate such a danger . 176 00:10:06,340 --> 00:10:08,640 And Israel has every right to defend 177 00:10:08,650 --> 00:10:11,630 itself against a fanatical terrorist 178 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,710 group whose stated purpose is to murder 179 00:10:14,719 --> 00:10:17,570 Jews and eradicate the Jewish state . 180 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:21,369 Hamas is still holding hostages 181 00:10:21,380 --> 00:10:24,830 including American citizens . Hamas 182 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,549 embeds itself and hides itself 183 00:10:29,820 --> 00:10:33,320 behind innocent Palestinian civilians . 184 00:10:34,710 --> 00:10:36,950 Hamas does not speak for the 185 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:40,039 Palestinian people and Hamas is 186 00:10:40,049 --> 00:10:43,059 determined to doom both Israelis and 187 00:10:43,070 --> 00:10:45,460 Palestinians to an unending cycle of 188 00:10:45,469 --> 00:10:49,169 suffering and strife . So make no 189 00:10:49,179 --> 00:10:53,030 mistake . Hamas should never again be 190 00:10:53,039 --> 00:10:55,219 able to project terror from Gaza into 191 00:10:55,229 --> 00:10:58,419 the sovereign state of Israel and we 192 00:10:58,429 --> 00:11:00,485 will continue to work together for a 193 00:11:00,485 --> 00:11:03,840 safer , more secure future for Israel 194 00:11:03,979 --> 00:11:05,646 and a brighter future for the 195 00:11:05,646 --> 00:11:09,400 Palestinians . The United States will 196 00:11:09,409 --> 00:11:11,576 keep pushing relentlessly for the safe 197 00:11:11,576 --> 00:11:14,690 return of hostages in Gaza 198 00:11:15,780 --> 00:11:17,947 and we will continue to help Israel in 199 00:11:17,947 --> 00:11:20,229 its efforts to bring them all home . 200 00:11:22,190 --> 00:11:24,246 Thanks to the personal leadership of 201 00:11:24,246 --> 00:11:26,710 President Biden , we helped to broker a 202 00:11:26,719 --> 00:11:28,919 deal that got out more than 100 203 00:11:28,929 --> 00:11:32,409 hostages , but this remains a top 204 00:11:32,419 --> 00:11:35,270 priority for the United States from 205 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,809 President Biden on down and we will 206 00:11:38,820 --> 00:11:41,000 continue to do everything that we can 207 00:11:41,450 --> 00:11:45,190 to bring home every man , every woman 208 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,690 and every child seized by Hamas . 209 00:11:50,349 --> 00:11:52,516 Now , the United States has been clear 210 00:11:52,516 --> 00:11:54,738 and consistent since Hamas started this 211 00:11:54,738 --> 00:11:58,190 war on October 7th . Democracies are 212 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,770 stronger and more secure when we uphold 213 00:12:01,780 --> 00:12:04,969 the law of war . And I've , as I've 214 00:12:04,979 --> 00:12:07,750 said , protecting Palestinian civilians 215 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,210 in Gaza is both a moral duty and a 216 00:12:11,219 --> 00:12:14,479 strategic imperative . So we will 217 00:12:14,489 --> 00:12:16,479 continue to stand up for Israel's 218 00:12:16,489 --> 00:12:19,729 bedrock , right to defend itself . And 219 00:12:19,739 --> 00:12:21,628 we will also continue to urge the 220 00:12:21,628 --> 00:12:23,890 protection of civilians during conflict 221 00:12:24,549 --> 00:12:26,105 and to increase the flow of 222 00:12:26,105 --> 00:12:29,710 humanitarian aid into Gaza . That's 223 00:12:29,719 --> 00:12:32,669 important as Israel fights to dismantle 224 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,710 the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in 225 00:12:35,719 --> 00:12:38,799 Gaza . And it will also be crucial for 226 00:12:38,809 --> 00:12:41,469 our work with our allies and partners 227 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:45,349 after the fighting stops . Now 228 00:12:45,359 --> 00:12:47,248 we're working to ensure that this 229 00:12:47,248 --> 00:12:49,526 conflict does not escalate beyond Gaza . 230 00:12:50,409 --> 00:12:52,576 But as we are driving to stabilize the 231 00:12:52,576 --> 00:12:55,479 region , Iran is raising 232 00:12:55,809 --> 00:12:59,020 tensions by continuing to support 233 00:12:59,030 --> 00:13:02,770 terrorist groups and militias attacks 234 00:13:02,780 --> 00:13:06,419 by these Iranian proxies threaten the 235 00:13:06,429 --> 00:13:09,309 region's citizens and risk a broader 236 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:13,250 conflict . Of course , the 237 00:13:13,260 --> 00:13:16,859 United States does not seek war and we 238 00:13:16,869 --> 00:13:19,036 urgently call on Iran to take steps to 239 00:13:19,036 --> 00:13:22,640 de escalate . Now , in my meetings 240 00:13:22,650 --> 00:13:24,706 today , I also discussed the need to 241 00:13:24,706 --> 00:13:27,400 take urgent action to stabilize the 242 00:13:27,409 --> 00:13:31,000 West Bank attacks by extremist settlers 243 00:13:31,010 --> 00:13:33,066 against the Palestinians in the West 244 00:13:33,066 --> 00:13:36,450 Bank must stop and those committing the 245 00:13:36,460 --> 00:13:40,409 violence must be held accountable . Now , 246 00:13:40,710 --> 00:13:43,299 we know that the past 72 days have been 247 00:13:43,309 --> 00:13:45,450 some of the most painful days in 248 00:13:45,460 --> 00:13:48,239 Israel's history . But it would 249 00:13:48,250 --> 00:13:51,039 compound this tragedy if all that was 250 00:13:51,049 --> 00:13:53,271 waiting for the Israeli people and your 251 00:13:53,271 --> 00:13:55,760 Palestinian neighbors . At the end of 252 00:13:55,770 --> 00:13:58,530 this awful war was more insecurity , 253 00:13:59,030 --> 00:14:01,330 fury and despair . 254 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,099 As I've said , Israelis and 255 00:14:05,109 --> 00:14:08,200 Palestinians have both paid too bidder 256 00:14:08,210 --> 00:14:11,690 a price to just go back to October 6th . 257 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,309 So I discussed pathways today toward a 258 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:18,820 future for Gaza after Hamas based upon 259 00:14:18,830 --> 00:14:20,830 the clear principles laid down last 260 00:14:20,830 --> 00:14:22,997 month by my friend , Secretary Lincoln 261 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,059 Israelis and Palestinians both deserve 262 00:14:27,070 --> 00:14:30,049 a horizon of hope . So the United 263 00:14:30,059 --> 00:14:33,030 States continues to believe as we have 264 00:14:33,039 --> 00:14:36,070 under administrations of both parties 265 00:14:36,570 --> 00:14:38,514 that it is in the interest of both 266 00:14:38,514 --> 00:14:41,309 Israelis and Palestinians to move 267 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,929 forward toward two States living side 268 00:14:44,940 --> 00:14:47,010 by side in mutual security . 269 00:14:49,150 --> 00:14:50,983 Now , we know how hard that is , 270 00:14:52,049 --> 00:14:55,820 especially after October 7th , but 271 00:14:55,830 --> 00:14:58,669 ongoing instability and insecurity only 272 00:14:58,679 --> 00:15:02,109 play into the hands of Hamas . So we 273 00:15:02,119 --> 00:15:04,119 must think together about what lies 274 00:15:04,119 --> 00:15:06,510 beyond this terrible season of terror 275 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:09,969 and war . And as we do , the United 276 00:15:09,979 --> 00:15:12,146 States will remain deeply committed to 277 00:15:12,146 --> 00:15:14,469 the security and self defense of the 278 00:15:14,479 --> 00:15:18,210 state of Israel . As John F . Kennedy 279 00:15:18,219 --> 00:15:22,140 said in 1960 America's friendship with 280 00:15:22,150 --> 00:15:24,320 Israel is a national commitment . 281 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:29,969 That was true then and it's even truer 282 00:15:29,979 --> 00:15:33,530 now , the United States will remain . 283 00:15:33,539 --> 00:15:36,119 Israel's closest friend in the world , 284 00:15:37,109 --> 00:15:40,190 as I've said repeatedly , our support 285 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,309 for Israel's security remains 286 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:45,570 unshakeable and it always will . 287 00:15:46,270 --> 00:15:48,214 Thank you . Very much and we'll be 288 00:15:48,214 --> 00:15:52,030 happy to take your questions . Um 289 00:15:52,039 --> 00:15:53,872 All right , we'll start now with 290 00:15:53,872 --> 00:15:57,840 Carolyn Bezalel . Um Thank 291 00:15:57,849 --> 00:16:00,090 you , Secretary Austin . Welcome to 292 00:16:00,099 --> 00:16:03,090 Israel . Um It's not a secret that 293 00:16:03,099 --> 00:16:05,349 there is a gap between Israel and the 294 00:16:05,359 --> 00:16:08,559 US . So have you set any sort of either 295 00:16:08,570 --> 00:16:10,940 timetable or deadline to the current 296 00:16:10,950 --> 00:16:13,340 phase of Israel ground war in Gaza ? 297 00:16:13,739 --> 00:16:15,979 And have you heard any firm assessment 298 00:16:15,989 --> 00:16:18,119 from the ID F where the current phase 299 00:16:18,130 --> 00:16:20,880 stand ? And if I may with regard to the 300 00:16:20,890 --> 00:16:23,979 North , um Israel says , and , and the 301 00:16:23,989 --> 00:16:26,211 Minister Gant has just repeated that it 302 00:16:26,211 --> 00:16:28,729 will attack Lebanon if there won't be 303 00:16:28,739 --> 00:16:30,683 an acceptable solution , that will 304 00:16:30,683 --> 00:16:32,890 include the Hezbollah withdrawal north 305 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:35,289 to the Litani River . Jake Sullivan was 306 00:16:35,299 --> 00:16:37,077 here last week and he was quite 307 00:16:37,077 --> 00:16:39,210 confident that ah such a solution can 308 00:16:39,219 --> 00:16:41,500 be achieved . Ah , what is the U the US 309 00:16:41,510 --> 00:16:44,099 position if Israel attack and will you 310 00:16:44,109 --> 00:16:47,190 order the US army to strike and even 311 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,219 destroy Hezbollah and Iranian target if 312 00:16:50,229 --> 00:16:53,469 required ? And , ah , Minister Gallant , 313 00:16:53,479 --> 00:16:57,280 um it took the ID F 70 days to reach 314 00:16:57,289 --> 00:16:59,349 the tunnel that was , ah revealed 315 00:16:59,359 --> 00:17:01,869 yesterday . How long do you think it , 316 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,130 it take to totally dismantle the threat 317 00:17:04,140 --> 00:17:06,890 of the tunnel in Gaza ? And if I may 318 00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:09,109 ask you , ah , Secretary Secretary 319 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:11,175 Rustin was speaking about , ah , the 320 00:17:11,175 --> 00:17:13,319 day after the American keeps asking 321 00:17:13,329 --> 00:17:15,920 Israel how it is the day after . So why 322 00:17:15,930 --> 00:17:18,041 do you tell them who will rule , will 323 00:17:18,041 --> 00:17:20,849 rule Gaza and will ah , the ID F be in 324 00:17:20,859 --> 00:17:23,319 Gaza throughout the entire next year ? 325 00:17:23,329 --> 00:17:24,551 Thank you very much . 326 00:17:27,030 --> 00:17:29,197 Which one of those 12 questions do you 327 00:17:29,197 --> 00:17:32,920 want me to ask ? I have more regarding 328 00:17:32,930 --> 00:17:36,569 the timeline . This is Israel's 329 00:17:36,579 --> 00:17:40,069 operation and I'm not here to dictate 330 00:17:40,079 --> 00:17:44,030 timelines or terms our 331 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,680 support uh to Israel's right to defend 332 00:17:46,689 --> 00:17:48,911 itself is ironclad , as you've heard me 333 00:17:48,911 --> 00:17:50,967 say a number of times and that's not 334 00:17:50,967 --> 00:17:54,319 going to change . It's critical as I 335 00:17:54,329 --> 00:17:57,270 said earlier that Hama Hamas not be 336 00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:00,680 able to threaten Israel , I'm from Gaza 337 00:18:01,859 --> 00:18:05,180 or even threaten Gaza anymore . You 338 00:18:05,189 --> 00:18:07,300 know , that's an interest that we all 339 00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:09,839 share . That's a common interest with 340 00:18:09,849 --> 00:18:13,660 all of us . And so today , we had great 341 00:18:13,670 --> 00:18:15,670 discussions about the status of the 342 00:18:15,670 --> 00:18:19,020 campaign , about goals and 343 00:18:19,030 --> 00:18:22,520 objectives in about how to 344 00:18:22,530 --> 00:18:26,050 reduce harm to civilians in the battle 345 00:18:26,060 --> 00:18:30,040 space . Uh and to , and the need to 346 00:18:30,050 --> 00:18:33,640 ensure uh a sustained flow of 347 00:18:33,650 --> 00:18:36,390 humanitarian assistance into Gaza . 348 00:18:38,339 --> 00:18:40,395 You know , we can offer some insight 349 00:18:40,395 --> 00:18:42,228 based upon our own experience in 350 00:18:42,228 --> 00:18:44,450 fighting terrorist groups and certainly 351 00:18:44,450 --> 00:18:46,395 uh that enable us to have great uh 352 00:18:46,395 --> 00:18:49,199 great discussions . And we also have 353 00:18:49,209 --> 00:18:51,680 some great thoughts about um how to 354 00:18:51,689 --> 00:18:53,500 transition from high intensity 355 00:18:53,510 --> 00:18:56,219 operations to a lower intensity and 356 00:18:56,229 --> 00:18:59,719 more surgical operations . So we had uh 357 00:18:59,729 --> 00:19:01,880 great discussions on all of those uh 358 00:19:01,890 --> 00:19:05,439 those issues on Lebanon . Uh We've been 359 00:19:05,449 --> 00:19:07,671 clear that uh we don't want to see this 360 00:19:07,671 --> 00:19:11,369 conflict widen into AAA uh larger 361 00:19:11,380 --> 00:19:14,530 war or a regional war And uh and we 362 00:19:14,540 --> 00:19:18,530 call upon uh Hezbollah uh to make sure 363 00:19:18,540 --> 00:19:20,969 that uh they don't do things that would 364 00:19:20,979 --> 00:19:23,089 provoke a wider conflict . 365 00:19:26,619 --> 00:19:29,959 Yes . As to the 1st 1st question , 366 00:19:31,650 --> 00:19:34,380 let me be more precise . It took us 70 367 00:19:34,390 --> 00:19:37,829 days before we exposed this tunnel to 368 00:19:37,839 --> 00:19:41,689 the public . It was discovered longer 369 00:19:41,699 --> 00:19:44,670 period before that after a month or so . 370 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,650 But we had a lot of uh a 371 00:19:48,660 --> 00:19:51,339 lot of operations to be done inside , 372 00:19:51,530 --> 00:19:53,859 inside the tunnel before we expose it . 373 00:19:54,300 --> 00:19:58,229 Uh the war will take time and 374 00:19:58,239 --> 00:20:01,079 I can assure only one issue 375 00:20:01,569 --> 00:20:04,859 that eventually we will reach our 376 00:20:04,869 --> 00:20:08,680 goals , first of all , to destroy Hamas , 377 00:20:08,689 --> 00:20:12,569 second to rescue the hostages . Both of 378 00:20:12,579 --> 00:20:16,099 them are very important equally . 379 00:20:17,650 --> 00:20:20,869 This is a war of national 380 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:23,430 determination and national resilience 381 00:20:23,819 --> 00:20:26,500 and we will prevail because we are 382 00:20:26,510 --> 00:20:29,530 fighting for the right values and uh 383 00:20:29,540 --> 00:20:33,420 for our survival in this region . As 384 00:20:33,430 --> 00:20:37,040 to the second question , uh We 385 00:20:37,050 --> 00:20:40,680 understand how important is the uh 386 00:20:40,689 --> 00:20:44,239 cooper operation uh the international 387 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:47,579 uh uh support uh to establish 388 00:20:47,589 --> 00:20:51,050 something , something different in Gaza . 389 00:20:51,469 --> 00:20:54,770 This is the reason we conduct this uh 390 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,290 this uh uh uh 391 00:21:00,010 --> 00:21:03,199 talks today together with Secretary 392 00:21:03,209 --> 00:21:06,689 Austin and General Bar and Mister Soofi 393 00:21:06,699 --> 00:21:09,829 and others . Regarding the issues that 394 00:21:09,839 --> 00:21:13,349 we have to conduct in 395 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:17,150 Gaza , we know that Hamas will not 396 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:20,199 control Gaza . We know that we will 397 00:21:20,209 --> 00:21:24,140 have the freedom to eliminate any kind 398 00:21:24,150 --> 00:21:27,810 of threat in the future and there will 399 00:21:27,819 --> 00:21:31,489 be no serious military threats 400 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:34,000 against Israel from Gaza . Second 401 00:21:34,010 --> 00:21:37,250 Israel will not control Gaza in 402 00:21:37,260 --> 00:21:40,890 any civilian way . We will conduct 403 00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:42,969 any needed 404 00:21:43,699 --> 00:21:47,050 operation and military effort in order 405 00:21:47,060 --> 00:21:49,839 to secure our future and we are 406 00:21:49,849 --> 00:21:52,800 building the routes for 407 00:21:53,219 --> 00:21:57,030 non hostile partners in the other side . 408 00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:01,599 Thank you , Tara Cop . If we can also 409 00:22:01,609 --> 00:22:03,498 please stick to one question each 410 00:22:03,498 --> 00:22:05,390 please . Thank you . Thank you , 411 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:08,319 Minister Galant back to Lebanon . Um 412 00:22:08,329 --> 00:22:10,910 Are you currently planning for a ground 413 00:22:10,949 --> 00:22:13,430 operation in the north to , as you said , 414 00:22:13,439 --> 00:22:16,000 fully secure that area from Hezbollah , 415 00:22:16,459 --> 00:22:18,579 Secretary Austin , if that ground 416 00:22:18,589 --> 00:22:20,533 operation is launched , just to um 417 00:22:20,533 --> 00:22:22,645 repeat my colleague's question , what 418 00:22:22,645 --> 00:22:25,760 role would us forces have in uh such 419 00:22:25,770 --> 00:22:28,859 case ? And then is it too dangerous 420 00:22:28,869 --> 00:22:31,300 right now ? Minister Gallant to open a 421 00:22:31,310 --> 00:22:33,532 second front in the north when you have 422 00:22:33,532 --> 00:22:35,643 troops committed in the south in Gaza 423 00:22:35,969 --> 00:22:38,469 and my final one for Secretary Austin , 424 00:22:38,479 --> 00:22:41,510 um another commercial vessel today was 425 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:44,060 attacked in the Red Sea and us . 426 00:22:44,069 --> 00:22:46,380 Warships continue to intercept 427 00:22:46,390 --> 00:22:48,557 ballistic missiles and drones that are 428 00:22:48,557 --> 00:22:50,612 fired from Houthi controlled Yemen . 429 00:22:50,670 --> 00:22:53,260 Why hasn't the US struck back or 430 00:22:53,270 --> 00:22:55,699 conducted a counter strike like it has 431 00:22:55,709 --> 00:22:57,859 against similar Iranian backed 432 00:22:57,869 --> 00:22:59,540 militants in Iraq and Syria ? 433 00:23:03,180 --> 00:23:06,380 Uh I uh 434 00:23:07,180 --> 00:23:09,459 I would like to reiterate what I said . 435 00:23:09,839 --> 00:23:13,349 I said that diplomacy is the preferred 436 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:16,979 way . We are not looking for wars 437 00:23:17,329 --> 00:23:20,719 but we have 70,000 Israeli 438 00:23:20,729 --> 00:23:23,920 refugees and Hezbollah is shooting us 439 00:23:23,930 --> 00:23:27,170 every day since October 8th , a day 440 00:23:27,180 --> 00:23:29,589 after Hamas launched the war against 441 00:23:29,599 --> 00:23:32,910 Israel . Therefore , on one hand , we 442 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:36,349 are patient and we are looking for a 443 00:23:36,589 --> 00:23:39,729 diplomacy solution that will 444 00:23:41,079 --> 00:23:44,170 make sure that Hezbollah is not 445 00:23:44,180 --> 00:23:47,930 threaten Israeli civilians on 446 00:23:47,939 --> 00:23:51,250 the northern communities directly . On 447 00:23:51,260 --> 00:23:53,149 the other hand , we are preparing 448 00:23:53,149 --> 00:23:56,689 ourselves to any situation that is 449 00:23:56,699 --> 00:24:00,099 needed . And if something like that 450 00:24:00,109 --> 00:24:03,290 happened , we will know what to do and 451 00:24:03,300 --> 00:24:06,589 we will prevail , we are not looking 452 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,609 for anything similar to that and we 453 00:24:09,619 --> 00:24:11,619 hope that Hezbollah will understand 454 00:24:11,619 --> 00:24:13,008 that it's time to stop . 455 00:24:17,459 --> 00:24:20,290 Uh Thanks Sara uh regarding the ht 456 00:24:21,859 --> 00:24:24,479 um these attacks are reckless 457 00:24:25,349 --> 00:24:26,969 dangerous and they violate 458 00:24:26,979 --> 00:24:29,510 international law . And so we're taking 459 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:31,750 action to uh build an international 460 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:34,550 coalition to address this threat . And 461 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:36,560 I would remind you that this is not 462 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:40,170 just a US issue . Uh This is , this is 463 00:24:40,180 --> 00:24:41,958 an international problem and it 464 00:24:41,958 --> 00:24:44,449 deserves an international uh response . 465 00:24:44,890 --> 00:24:47,770 Uh And that's why uh I'm convening a 466 00:24:47,780 --> 00:24:50,689 meeting tomorrow , uh a ministerial 467 00:24:50,699 --> 00:24:52,643 meeting with fellow ministers in a 468 00:24:52,643 --> 00:24:55,500 region and beyond uh to uh to address 469 00:24:55,510 --> 00:24:59,510 this threat . Uh We're uh uh that'll 470 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:01,742 be a virtual meeting and I look forward 471 00:25:01,742 --> 00:25:03,964 to that discussion and more important . 472 00:25:03,964 --> 00:25:06,076 I look forward to uh working together 473 00:25:06,076 --> 00:25:09,000 uh with uh uh members of that uh of 474 00:25:09,010 --> 00:25:11,910 that uh group uh to address the threat 475 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:14,250 in a meaningful way in the future . And 476 00:25:14,260 --> 00:25:16,427 we'll have more details on this soon . 477 00:25:16,427 --> 00:25:18,649 But uh we're gonna make sure that we're 478 00:25:18,649 --> 00:25:20,750 doing everything that we can to uh 479 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:24,489 ensure uh freedom of navigation uh in 480 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:27,060 the area . Uh The strait is , uh 481 00:25:27,069 --> 00:25:29,599 straits are pretty , pretty important 482 00:25:29,609 --> 00:25:32,000 as we know , as you know , a large 483 00:25:32,010 --> 00:25:34,177 amount of commerce flows through their 484 00:25:34,177 --> 00:25:36,232 international commerce flows through 485 00:25:36,232 --> 00:25:39,810 their uh on a daily basis . You a 486 00:25:41,410 --> 00:25:43,410 you about from the Jerusalem Post . 487 00:25:43,410 --> 00:25:45,577 Good to see you again , Mr Secretary . 488 00:25:45,577 --> 00:25:47,743 There's been a lot of discussion about 489 00:25:47,743 --> 00:25:49,632 getting Israel's intent to reduce 490 00:25:49,632 --> 00:25:51,688 civilian casualties to match up with 491 00:25:51,688 --> 00:25:53,910 the results . General Petraeus famously 492 00:25:53,910 --> 00:25:55,910 said that sometimes the US needs to 493 00:25:55,910 --> 00:25:57,966 take hits on force protection to win 494 00:25:57,966 --> 00:25:59,910 over hearts and minds legitimacy . 495 00:25:59,910 --> 00:26:01,854 You're probably familiar that just 496 00:26:01,854 --> 00:26:04,077 recently about 10 Israeli soldiers died 497 00:26:04,077 --> 00:26:06,243 in one ambush . And a lot of people in 498 00:26:06,243 --> 00:26:08,132 Israel were saying if the Israeli 499 00:26:08,132 --> 00:26:10,466 defense forces had just bombed the area , 500 00:26:10,466 --> 00:26:12,632 they wouldn't have died . Is , is this 501 00:26:12,632 --> 00:26:14,577 the kind of thing , you know , war 502 00:26:14,577 --> 00:26:16,577 doesn't have perfect solutions that 503 00:26:16,577 --> 00:26:16,420 sometimes the United States may think 504 00:26:16,430 --> 00:26:18,597 that Israel may need to take more hits 505 00:26:18,597 --> 00:26:20,819 to force protection instead of being as 506 00:26:20,819 --> 00:26:22,986 aggressive with um , its air force and 507 00:26:22,986 --> 00:26:26,119 artillery . Um Minister Galant , good 508 00:26:26,130 --> 00:26:28,579 to see you . Um , the United States in 509 00:26:28,589 --> 00:26:30,880 its most respectful way possible is 510 00:26:30,890 --> 00:26:34,079 trying to push Israel on certain 511 00:26:34,089 --> 00:26:36,170 timelines on certain things about uh 512 00:26:36,180 --> 00:26:39,339 the day after . Um , is it may be time 513 00:26:39,349 --> 00:26:41,127 that , that uh yourself and the 514 00:26:41,127 --> 00:26:43,127 government need to tell Israel that 515 00:26:43,127 --> 00:26:44,960 even though we've had tremendous 516 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:46,960 successes in the field , we may not 517 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:49,182 actually control all of Gaza at the end 518 00:26:49,182 --> 00:26:51,238 of January we may not get all of the 519 00:26:51,238 --> 00:26:53,349 hostages back at the end of January . 520 00:26:53,349 --> 00:26:55,405 Some of these things may continue in 521 00:26:55,405 --> 00:26:57,627 the 3 to 9 months afterwards , the what 522 00:26:57,627 --> 00:26:59,849 they call Slav Gimmel the third stage . 523 00:27:02,250 --> 00:27:04,472 So for the first part of the question , 524 00:27:04,472 --> 00:27:08,020 in terms of um the nature of the 525 00:27:08,030 --> 00:27:10,939 strikes uh in , in the amount of 526 00:27:10,949 --> 00:27:14,290 collateral damage , I think . Uh uh let 527 00:27:14,300 --> 00:27:16,356 me begin by saying the protection of 528 00:27:16,356 --> 00:27:19,260 our troops is important to all of us . 529 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:22,530 Uh Minister Gallant me , all of us . Uh 530 00:27:22,540 --> 00:27:25,199 And uh and that is foremost , 531 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:29,939 um but you know what we see happening 532 00:27:29,949 --> 00:27:32,930 is a combination of two things . The 533 00:27:32,939 --> 00:27:35,640 first thing is the complexity of , of 534 00:27:35,650 --> 00:27:37,761 this battle space , three dimensional 535 00:27:37,761 --> 00:27:40,670 battle space , uh very closed uh closed 536 00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:43,869 spaces , uh dense population of people . 537 00:27:43,989 --> 00:27:46,211 Uh And uh and so that's , that makes it 538 00:27:46,211 --> 00:27:49,660 very , very difficult uh to uh to 539 00:27:49,670 --> 00:27:52,900 conduct any military operation 540 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:56,540 above and beyond that , we see that uh 541 00:27:56,550 --> 00:28:00,489 Hamas routinely uh uh uses 542 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:04,150 civilians as shields . Uh beyond that , 543 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:06,390 they place their headquarters and in 544 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:09,069 their logistical sites uh near uh 545 00:28:09,079 --> 00:28:11,819 protected sites , uh hospitals , uh 546 00:28:11,829 --> 00:28:15,089 mosques , churches , uh you , you name 547 00:28:15,099 --> 00:28:17,540 it . And so that adds to the , to the 548 00:28:17,550 --> 00:28:19,670 complexity . And as you , as you've 549 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:21,902 heard , uh Jake Sullivan say it's uh it 550 00:28:21,902 --> 00:28:24,680 provides an additional burden for uh 551 00:28:25,069 --> 00:28:28,479 for the uh the forces that are 552 00:28:28,489 --> 00:28:31,390 prosecuting this fight . Uh It requires 553 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:33,344 a very professional force and that 554 00:28:33,344 --> 00:28:35,930 force has to learn each uh each step of 555 00:28:35,939 --> 00:28:38,161 the way . And we've seen that and , and 556 00:28:38,161 --> 00:28:39,939 Minister Gant and I had a great 557 00:28:39,939 --> 00:28:41,995 conversation today about some of the 558 00:28:41,995 --> 00:28:44,217 things that they've learned and some of 559 00:28:44,217 --> 00:28:46,161 the techniques that they're , that 560 00:28:46,161 --> 00:28:48,272 they're uh uh you know , changing and 561 00:28:48,272 --> 00:28:50,383 as , as they uh conduct operations in 562 00:28:50,383 --> 00:28:52,550 the South . So all of us learned and , 563 00:28:52,550 --> 00:28:54,819 and uh and again , they were a very 564 00:28:54,829 --> 00:28:56,885 professional force going into this , 565 00:28:56,885 --> 00:28:58,719 but this is a , an incredible uh 566 00:28:58,729 --> 00:29:01,780 complex battle space and taking lessons 567 00:29:01,790 --> 00:29:03,734 learned from the North . They've , 568 00:29:03,734 --> 00:29:05,846 they've applied some of those lessons 569 00:29:05,846 --> 00:29:07,901 in the South . And uh and again , uh 570 00:29:07,910 --> 00:29:09,910 I'm sure that that will continue to 571 00:29:09,910 --> 00:29:13,430 happen . Well , first of all , the 572 00:29:13,439 --> 00:29:16,729 discussions are uh are 573 00:29:16,739 --> 00:29:20,439 transparent and frank . And uh on the 574 00:29:20,449 --> 00:29:22,616 personal level , I have a lot to learn 575 00:29:22,616 --> 00:29:24,750 from General Austin . So I'm learning 576 00:29:24,869 --> 00:29:27,250 also and uh he always give me good 577 00:29:27,260 --> 00:29:29,780 advice . Therefore , we share 578 00:29:29,790 --> 00:29:33,589 everything and uh we consult uh 579 00:29:33,599 --> 00:29:37,130 second uh on the , on the , on the 580 00:29:37,140 --> 00:29:40,209 battlefield , we have uh uh a very 581 00:29:40,219 --> 00:29:43,329 meaningful uh uh and successful 582 00:29:43,339 --> 00:29:47,050 achievement . Uh We uh we 583 00:29:47,060 --> 00:29:49,180 detect uh thousands of terrorists 584 00:29:49,189 --> 00:29:52,770 including uh uh senior commanders , but 585 00:29:52,780 --> 00:29:55,829 not the leadership . The eliminate , 586 00:29:55,839 --> 00:29:58,969 the Hamas leadership is an ongoing uh 587 00:29:58,979 --> 00:30:01,780 goal that will be achieved hopefully 588 00:30:01,790 --> 00:30:03,901 soon , but it will be achieved . It's 589 00:30:03,901 --> 00:30:06,910 part of the goals of the war . And uh 590 00:30:07,989 --> 00:30:10,420 we will continue to operate in 591 00:30:10,430 --> 00:30:13,290 different levels of intensity according 592 00:30:13,300 --> 00:30:16,089 to the situation in the region . And 593 00:30:16,670 --> 00:30:19,109 I can tell you that 594 00:30:22,150 --> 00:30:25,869 soon , we will be able to distinguish 595 00:30:26,209 --> 00:30:29,290 between different areas in Gaza in 596 00:30:29,300 --> 00:30:32,530 every area where we achieve our mission , 597 00:30:32,540 --> 00:30:35,729 we will be able to transition gradually 598 00:30:36,239 --> 00:30:40,010 to the next phase and start working on 599 00:30:40,020 --> 00:30:43,069 bringing back local population . That 600 00:30:43,079 --> 00:30:45,800 means that it can be achieved maybe 601 00:30:45,810 --> 00:30:48,349 sooner in the North rather than in the 602 00:30:48,359 --> 00:30:52,189 south . So we are dealing with all the 603 00:30:52,199 --> 00:30:54,660 different components and we will decide 604 00:30:54,670 --> 00:30:57,770 in the next , in the next future future . 605 00:30:59,339 --> 00:31:02,550 No , I'm not , I'm not uh 606 00:31:02,650 --> 00:31:06,099 defining any , any , any region and uh 607 00:31:06,109 --> 00:31:08,890 this is an ongoing discussion , but I 608 00:31:09,119 --> 00:31:12,939 give you an idea about what we are 609 00:31:12,949 --> 00:31:16,020 discussing in the Israeli military 610 00:31:16,030 --> 00:31:18,030 establishment and together with the 611 00:31:18,030 --> 00:31:20,369 Americans most against . 612 00:31:21,849 --> 00:31:23,960 Thank you , Moshe Gaines with the NBC 613 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,750 news . Uh Minister Guan , what are the 614 00:31:26,760 --> 00:31:28,982 benchmarks for moving to the next phase 615 00:31:28,982 --> 00:31:31,093 of this war ? Does that mean that you 616 00:31:31,093 --> 00:31:33,204 have to take out top Hamas leadership 617 00:31:33,204 --> 00:31:35,038 to be able to move on ? And what 618 00:31:35,038 --> 00:31:37,038 specifically is keeping Israel from 619 00:31:37,038 --> 00:31:39,038 moving to more precise and targeted 620 00:31:39,038 --> 00:31:41,109 operations against Hamas and then 621 00:31:41,119 --> 00:31:43,030 Secretary Austin based on your 622 00:31:43,040 --> 00:31:44,818 experience in Iraq and what you 623 00:31:44,818 --> 00:31:46,929 discussed today , what metrics should 624 00:31:46,929 --> 00:31:49,040 Israel be using to know that it's the 625 00:31:49,040 --> 00:31:51,040 right time to transition from major 626 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:52,984 combat operations and what are the 627 00:31:52,984 --> 00:31:54,707 risks particularly to civilian 628 00:31:54,707 --> 00:31:56,939 protection ? And lastly , would you say 629 00:31:56,949 --> 00:31:59,209 that Israel is on track for a strategic 630 00:31:59,219 --> 00:32:00,380 victory in Gaza ? 631 00:32:03,199 --> 00:32:06,300 Ah Do you want me to go first ? 632 00:32:07,680 --> 00:32:11,280 Always ? Ok . Well , I I 633 00:32:11,290 --> 00:32:14,260 will , uh , I'll , I'll let , uh , 634 00:32:14,290 --> 00:32:17,599 Minister Gallant speak to uh the 635 00:32:17,609 --> 00:32:20,880 elements of their campaign . Um 636 00:32:22,439 --> 00:32:24,328 I , and how they're gonna conduct 637 00:32:24,328 --> 00:32:26,606 operations . But I would tell you that , 638 00:32:26,729 --> 00:32:29,439 you know , we all know that any 639 00:32:29,449 --> 00:32:32,099 military operation , any large scale 640 00:32:32,109 --> 00:32:35,839 military operation , uh , that will 641 00:32:35,849 --> 00:32:39,380 have uh , phases to its campaign . And 642 00:32:39,390 --> 00:32:41,557 as you go from one phase to the next , 643 00:32:41,880 --> 00:32:44,130 uh , you know , your , your stance 644 00:32:44,140 --> 00:32:46,251 shifts a little bit , your activity , 645 00:32:46,251 --> 00:32:48,140 uh uh shifts a little bit because 646 00:32:48,140 --> 00:32:50,307 you're , you , you begin to focus on , 647 00:32:50,307 --> 00:32:52,251 on different things and what those 648 00:32:52,251 --> 00:32:54,418 things are . Well , they'll be defined 649 00:32:54,418 --> 00:32:58,209 by , by uh by the Israelis . Um 650 00:32:58,599 --> 00:33:01,969 But as you transition from one phase to 651 00:33:01,979 --> 00:33:04,869 another , it doesn't mean that um 652 00:33:06,780 --> 00:33:08,947 that , I mean , that doesn't signal an 653 00:33:08,947 --> 00:33:11,349 end to the operation . Uh It , it , it 654 00:33:11,359 --> 00:33:13,415 sometimes means that uh you're being 655 00:33:13,415 --> 00:33:15,526 more , more precise , you're being or 656 00:33:15,526 --> 00:33:18,000 more fo more focused on a specific 657 00:33:18,010 --> 00:33:20,069 target set , you're doing different 658 00:33:20,079 --> 00:33:22,135 things during that campaign . Uh For 659 00:33:22,135 --> 00:33:24,989 example , on , on , in , in one phase , 660 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:27,540 you may have a higher intensity 661 00:33:27,550 --> 00:33:30,670 fighting uh both uh air and ground in 662 00:33:30,680 --> 00:33:32,810 another phase . Uh you may shift a 663 00:33:32,819 --> 00:33:34,800 little bit and then , and then uh 664 00:33:34,810 --> 00:33:36,866 provide more humanitarian assistance 665 00:33:36,866 --> 00:33:38,977 and while still focused on a discrete 666 00:33:38,977 --> 00:33:41,199 set of targets , again , I'm not saying 667 00:33:41,199 --> 00:33:43,254 that that's what uh that's what they 668 00:33:43,254 --> 00:33:45,366 would be looking at going forward . I 669 00:33:45,366 --> 00:33:47,477 will let the Israelis define their uh 670 00:33:47,477 --> 00:33:49,643 their uh their campaign and the phases 671 00:33:49,643 --> 00:33:51,810 of the campaign for themselves . But , 672 00:33:51,810 --> 00:33:53,977 but in any operation like this , any , 673 00:33:53,977 --> 00:33:56,143 any campaign , uh there will be phases 674 00:33:56,143 --> 00:33:59,790 in and the most difficult part uh is as 675 00:33:59,800 --> 00:34:01,856 you , as you shift from one phase to 676 00:34:01,856 --> 00:34:04,239 the next , making sure that uh that you 677 00:34:04,250 --> 00:34:06,361 have everything accounted for and you 678 00:34:06,361 --> 00:34:08,417 get it right . So that's , that's uh 679 00:34:08,417 --> 00:34:10,194 that's , that requires detailed 680 00:34:10,194 --> 00:34:12,417 planning and very thoughtful planning . 681 00:34:12,417 --> 00:34:14,528 And sir , what , what are you ? Thank 682 00:34:14,528 --> 00:34:17,639 you . Uh The goals are the goals for 683 00:34:17,649 --> 00:34:20,439 the war . That means that by the end of 684 00:34:20,449 --> 00:34:22,830 the war , as long as it takes , we need 685 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:25,007 to make sure that we have our hostages 686 00:34:25,007 --> 00:34:28,050 back , that we eliminate the Hamas 687 00:34:28,060 --> 00:34:30,209 abilities . And that includes 688 00:34:30,219 --> 00:34:33,000 destroying Hamas's military capability 689 00:34:33,010 --> 00:34:36,489 and its ability to govern in Gaza . 690 00:34:36,830 --> 00:34:40,010 And it has certain parameters including 691 00:34:40,020 --> 00:34:43,649 the amount of battalion uh battalions 692 00:34:43,659 --> 00:34:47,540 that we , we need to dismantle and the 693 00:34:47,550 --> 00:34:49,494 chain of command and the , and the 694 00:34:49,494 --> 00:34:52,270 supreme military leadership and so 695 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:56,040 forth and so on . The phases are the 696 00:34:56,050 --> 00:34:59,280 technique which is part of the plan 697 00:34:59,290 --> 00:35:02,639 that we have to , to deploy in the , in 698 00:35:02,649 --> 00:35:04,927 the area in order to achieve our goals . 699 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:08,360 And uh as secretary Austin said , this 700 00:35:08,370 --> 00:35:12,020 is only the , the way that we 701 00:35:12,219 --> 00:35:15,129 shape our plan in order to achieve the 702 00:35:15,139 --> 00:35:17,239 goals . And as it happened in the 703 00:35:17,250 --> 00:35:19,370 battlefield , the circumstances are 704 00:35:19,379 --> 00:35:22,580 changing , you change your efforts and 705 00:35:22,590 --> 00:35:24,368 you do something different in a 706 00:35:24,368 --> 00:35:26,739 different phase and the intensity in 707 00:35:26,750 --> 00:35:30,709 the first phase is given . But in other 708 00:35:30,719 --> 00:35:32,941 phases . We will concentrate on certain 709 00:35:32,941 --> 00:35:36,830 issues , for instance , the engaging 710 00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:39,899 and detecting the , the Supreme 711 00:35:39,909 --> 00:35:43,580 leadership of Hamas and others . So all 712 00:35:43,590 --> 00:35:47,110 in all uh there is no , uh there is 713 00:35:47,120 --> 00:35:50,590 not no uh uh uh clock that is 714 00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:54,010 running and uh we have to uh to obey a 715 00:35:54,020 --> 00:35:57,604 certain day , but we need to get to 716 00:35:57,614 --> 00:36:00,685 different performances on the ground 717 00:36:00,695 --> 00:36:04,185 before we move to the next phase . And 718 00:36:04,195 --> 00:36:06,554 I believe that we will find the proper 719 00:36:06,564 --> 00:36:09,504 time to do so . And the most important 720 00:36:09,514 --> 00:36:11,847 issue , as I mentioned in the beginning , 721 00:36:11,925 --> 00:36:14,844 we will prevail , we will dismantle 722 00:36:14,854 --> 00:36:17,405 Hamas . Otherwise we will not be able 723 00:36:17,415 --> 00:36:20,804 to exist and live in the way we want to 724 00:36:20,814 --> 00:36:24,399 live in this region because there is a 725 00:36:24,409 --> 00:36:26,929 price to deterrence and they need to 726 00:36:26,939 --> 00:36:30,379 know that if they kill or kidnap 1500 727 00:36:30,389 --> 00:36:32,389 people , including kids and women , 728 00:36:33,090 --> 00:36:37,000 this is the end of Hamas . Thank you 729 00:36:37,010 --> 00:36:38,177 very much , everyone 730 00:36:51,639 --> 00:36:54,489 very much . Thank you , secretary . You 731 00:36:54,500 --> 00:36:55,379 help us a lot .