Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant spoke this evening at the central event marking 50 years since the Yom Kippur War. In his speech, Defense Minister Gallant addressed the recent developments on the Gaza border: "This evening, it is important that we remind the terrorist elements in Gaza of the true power dynamics between the IDF and Hamas and its partners."
The Defense Minister began his speech by describing a heroic operation, carried out by Shayetet 13 during the war in the Port Said harbor in Egypt. "It was almost a suicide mission. The chances of returning from it were low. Through extraordinary bravery and against all odds, the fighters succeeded in reaching their objectives and sinking four enemy ships in a daring commando operation."
"In the spirit of the heritage of Yom Kippur warriors, we learned about determination and commitment to the mission, we learned about the strength of the individual, but even more so about the strength of the warrior team. We learned about the camaraderie of the fighters, which turns their fingers into fists of steel.
"The Yom Kippur War marked the end of an era of conventional wars from 1948 to 1973, and as a result of the IDF's unprecedented success in its wars, some of our enemies turned to the path of peace – first Egypt, and later Jordan. This is, of course, the preferred alternative for us, but unfortunately, some of our enemies have not yet fully grasped that peace is preferable to war."
Tonight it is important that we remind the terrorist elements in Gaza of the relationship of forces
"As a result, over the past fifty years, warfare has shifted its focus – from fighting against regular armies to combatting terrorist organizations and militant elements located along our borders, in the North, South, Judea, and Samaria. For example, in recent days, the situation in the Gaza Strip has escalated. This evening, it is important to remind the terrorist entities in Gaza of the true balance of power between the IDF and Hamas and its associates."
