 טוב, ארהי, אמנם. פרצת נתקדת מטרousesי סלטה ומלכת כמובן של גנדון ומלכת כמובן של דבר, ולואיד אוסטניה נותן נתקדת מרחב. תודה רבה, חזרו לך בפלסת של סלטי, נשאר לך מטרousesי סלטה, תודה רבה. אשר, אשר, המעל-איסטריה וישראל לא תשארת בית מלמד ולא תליין על נשארתנו מ genug, של נשארתנו של עשי ושל יעושי חבר'ה רוסטינג, כשאתה רואה את הישראל ואת העולם, מה זה זאת אומרת? להיות חבר'ה וחבר'ה. אין הרבה פרקים של我們的 אינטימטאים, כשמתחים ביחד עם ג'נרל ברון וג'נרל הלבי, דיסקשפעות על העבור הגייסות היקרות, ביטחי, ותלתת. תודה, סקריטרי, for your deep commitment to Israel's security. We stand here 72 days into a war that we didn't want. אוקטובר 7, חמאס קונדקט ברוטה לתאיק, והם מרדרד, רייפת וקידנפ, שילדרן, וימן, סולג'ה, הולכה סוביברס. אוקטובר 7, We fall back and immediately set the goals of this war, the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages home with no exception. Our common enemies around the world are watching and they know that Israel victory is the victory of the free world led by the United States of America. In our war against Hamas, the Hamas terrorist organization is a war, it's not a war against the people of Gaza. We are fighting a brutal enemy that hides behind civilians. Billions of dollars have been invested in Gaza, money that should have gone to civilian infrastructure and instead was used to build a network of tunnels hundreds of kilometers long equipped by military facilities. Today, IDF troops are operating in Hamas hotspots across Gaza. In northern Gaza, our troops have eliminated thousands of terrorists, destroyed military infrastructure and dismantled most of the battalions operating in the area. In south Gaza, in Hanunez, we are precise and focused on eliminating Hamas leadership and military infrastructure. Detecting and engaging Hamas leadership and the chain of command span over the phases of this war and will continue until we fully achieve our goals. Secretary Austin, we both know the complexities of war, we both fought brutal terrorist organization, we know that it takes time. Unlike our enemies, we are defending our values and we operate according to international law. The IDF is operating to minimize the harm to civilian population. We are also working with international partners to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, yet anytime we discuss humanitarian issues we must remember. The 129 hostages will held in Gaza. This is the most humanitarian issue. On October 8, a day after Hamas' attack, his ballot opened fire unprovoked. The threats of rockets, missiles and drones is unacceptable. Over 80,000 citizens have been displaced living as refugees in their own country. We are determined to create a new reality, restoring security in the area based on UN resolution 1701 pushing back his ballot. We will bring back the residents of the north to their homes on the border after full security will be restored. We prefer to do so via understanding, ensuring that the border region is clear of terrorists and does not allow direct threats of our citizens. If such a process will not be implemented diplomatically, we will not hesitate to act. Today we also discuss the growing global threat posed by the Houthis terrorist organization. Their action threatened international freedom of navigation and their reckless behavior, firing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones against Israel can drag the region into war. The state of Israel values US leadership and we will support international efforts. At the same time, we maintain the right to take all the actions necessary to defend our sovereignty and our citizens. Hamas, his ballot and the Houthis are funded, supported and trained by one source of evil, Iran. And unfortunately, this is only their secondary effort. Iran's major effort is acquiring military nuclear capabilities and this continues even now. We are aware of their actions and we are ready to defend ourselves. We must take a stand. The world is watching us now. This includes our enemies Hamas, his ballot and Iran. The image they see today is powerful as we stand here united. We are resilient and determined and we will win on every front. Thank you once again, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for coming and thank you for your support and your friendship. Thank you very much. Well, good afternoon everybody. We've been talking almost daily by phone, so it's good to see you once again in person. And it's good to be back in Israel, even in these difficult days, especially in these difficult days. This is my fourth visit to Israel as Secretary of Defense and my second time since October 7th. And I know that Israel has been profoundly changed from where you were on October 6th, so I'm here with a clear message. America's support for Israel's security is unshakable and Israel is not alone. At a time of mourning, a real friend shows up. And I know how terrible these days have been for the Israeli people. And I know that October 7th touched everyone in this small democracy. So let me again extend my deepest condolences to Minister Gadi Eisenkott, who has been sitting Shiva for his 25-year-old son and mourning his nephew after they both fell in Gaza. On October 7th, Hamas committed one of the worst atrocities in the history of modern terrorism. As President Biden said, it was an act of sheer evil. Innocent young people at a concert were massacred. Parents were shot in front of their children. Women were sexually assaulted. Toddlers and Holocaust survivors were taken hostage. And for Hamas, that was just the beginning. Hamas has clearly and loudly spelled out his vision of the future. And it is to repeat October 7th over and over and over again. No country should tolerate such a danger. And Israel has every right to defend itself against a fanatical terrorist group whose stated purpose is to murder Jews and eradicate the Jewish state. Hamas is still holding hostages, including American citizens. Hamas embeds itself and hides itself behind innocent Palestinian civilians. Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people. And Hamas is determined to doom both Israelis and Palestinians to an unending cycle of suffering and strife. So make no mistake, Hamas should never again be able to project terror from Gaza into the sovereign state of Israel. And we will continue to work together for a safer, more secure future for Israel and a brighter future for the Palestinians. The United States will keep pushing relentlessly for the safe return of hostages in Gaza. And we will continue to help Israel in its efforts to bring them all home. Thanks to the personal leadership of President Biden, we helped to broker a deal that got out more than 100 hostages. But this remains a top priority for the United States from President Biden on down. And we will continue to do everything that we can to bring home every man, every woman, and every child seized by Hamas. Now the United States has been clear and consistent since Hamas started this war on October 7. Democracies are stronger and more secure when we uphold the law of war. And as I've said, protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative. So we will continue to stand up for Israel's bedrock right to defend itself. And we will also continue to urge the protection of civilians during conflict and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. That's important as Israel fights to dismantle the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. And it will also be crucial for our work with our allies and partners after the fighting stops. Now we're working to ensure that this conflict does not escalate beyond Gaza. But as we are driving to stabilize the region, Iran is raising tensions by continuing to support terrorist groups and militias. Attacks by these Iranian proxies threaten the region's citizens and risk a broader conflict. Of course, the United States does not seek war, and we urgently call on Iran to take steps to de-escalate. Now in my meetings today, I also discussed the need to take urgent action to stabilize the West Bank. Attacks by extremist settlers against the Palestinians in the West Bank must stop. And those committing the violence must be held accountable. Now we know that the past 72 days have been some of the most painful days in Israel's history. But it would compound this tragedy if all that was waiting for the Israeli people and your Palestinian neighbors at the end of this awful war was more insecurity, fury, and despair. As I've said, Israelis and Palestinians have both paid two bidder a price to just go back to October 6. So I discussed past ways today toward a future for Gaza after Hamas, based upon the clear principles laid down last month by my friend Secretary Blinken. Israelis and Palestinians both deserve a horizon of hope. So the United States continues to believe, as we have under administrations of both parties, that it is in the interest of both Israelis and Palestinians to move forward toward two states, living side by side in mutual security. Now we know how hard that is, especially after October 7. But ongoing instability and insecurity only play into the hands of Hamas. So we must think together about what lies beyond this terrible season of terror and war. And as we do, the United States will remain deeply committed to the security and self-defense of the state of Israel. As John F. Kennedy said in 1960, America's friendship with Israel is a national commitment. That was true then, and it's even truer now. The United States will remain Israel's closest friend in the world. As I've said repeatedly, our support for Israel's security remains unshakable, and it always will. Thank you very much, and we'll be happy to take your questions. All right, we'll start now with Karen Bitzelel. Thank you, Secretary Austin. Welcome to Israel. It's not a secret that there is a gap between Israel and the U.S. So have you set any sort of either timetable or deadline to the current phase of Israel's ground war in Gaza? And have you heard any firm assessment from the IDF where the current phase stand? And if I may, with regard to the North, Israel says and the Minister Gallant has just repeated that it will attack Lebanon if there won't be an acceptable solution that will include the Hezbollah withdrawal north to the Litany River. Jake Sullivan was here last week, and he was quite confident that such a solution can be achieved. What is the U.S. position if Israel attack, and will you order the U.S. Army to strike and even destroy Hezbollah and Iranian targets if required? And Minister Gallant, it took the IDF 70 days to reach the tunnel that was revealed yesterday. How long do you think it takes to totally dismantle the threat of the tunnel in Gaza? And if I may ask you, Secretary Austin was speaking about the day after the American keeps asking Israel how it sees the day after. So what do you tell them? Who will rule Gaza and will the IDF be in Gaza throughout the entire next year? Thank you very much. Which one of those 12 questions do you want me to ask? I have more. Regarding the timeline, this is Israel's operation, and I'm not here to dictate timelines or terms. Our support to Israel's right to defend itself is ironclad, as you've heard me say a number of times, and that's not going to change. It's critical, as I said earlier, that Hamas not be able to threaten Israel from Gaza or even threaten Gaza anymore. You know, that's an interest that we all share. It's a common interest with all of us. And so today we had great discussions about the status of the campaign, about goals and objectives, and about how to reduce harm to civilians in the battle space, and the need to ensure a sustained flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. You know, we can offer some insight based upon our own experience in fighting terrorist groups, and certainly that enabled us to have great discussions. And we also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high-intensity operations to a lower intensity and more surgical operations. So we had great discussions on all of those issues. On Lebanon, we've been clear that we don't want to see this conflict widen into a larger war or a regional war, and we call upon Hezbollah to make sure that they don't do things that would provoke a wider conflict. Yes, as to the first question, let me be more precise. It took us 70 days before we exposed this tunnel to the public. It was discovered longer period before that, after a month or so. But we had a lot of operations to be done inside the tunnel before we exposed it. The war will take time, and I can assure only one issue, that eventually we will reach our goals. First of all, to destroy Hamas, second to rescue the hostages, both of them are very important equally. This is a war of national determination and national resilience, and we will prevail because we are fighting for the right values and for survival in this region. As to the second question, we understand how important is the cooperation, the international support to establish something different in Gaza. This is the reason we conduct these talks today together with Secretary Austin and General Brown and Mr. Sutterfield and others regarding the issues that we have to conduct in Gaza. We know that Hamas will not control Gaza. We know that we will have the freedom to eliminate any kind of threat in the future, and there will be no serious military threats against Israel from Gaza. Second Israel will not control Gaza in any civilian way. We will conduct any needed operation and military effort in order to secure our future, and we are building the routes for non-hostile partners in the other side. Thank you, Tara Kopp. If we can also please stick to one question each, please. Thank you. Thank you. Minister Galant, back to Lebanon. Are you currently planning for a ground operation in the north to, as you said, fully secure that area from Hezbollah? Secretary Austin, if that ground operation is launched just to repeat my colleague's question, what role would U.S. forces have in such case? And then is it too dangerous right now, Minister Galant, to open a second front in the north when you have troops committed in the south in Gaza? And my final one for Secretary Austin. Another commercial vessel today was attacked in the Red Sea, and U.S. warships continue to intercept ballistic missiles and drones that are fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. Why hasn't the U.S. struck back or conducted a counter-strike like it has against similar Iranian-backed militants in Iraq and Syria? I would like to reiterate what I said. I said that diplomacy is the preferred way. We are not looking for wars, but we have 70,000 Israeli refugees, and Hezbollah is shooting us every day since October 8, a day after Hamas launched the war against Israel. Therefore, in one hand, we are patient, and we are looking for a diplomacy solution that will make sure that Hezbollah is not threatened Israeli civilians on the northern communities directly. On the other hand, we are preparing ourselves to any situation that is needed, and if something like that happened, we will know what to do and we will prevail. We are not looking for anything similar to that, and we hope that Hezbollah will understand it. It's time to stop. Thanks, Sarah. Regarding the Houthis, these attacks are reckless, dangerous, and they violate international law. And so we're taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat. And I would remind you that this is not just a U.S. issue. This is an international problem, and it deserves an international response. And that's why I'm convening a meeting tomorrow, a ministerial meeting with fellow ministers in a region and beyond to address this threat. That will be a virtual meeting, and I look forward to that discussion. And more important, I look forward to working together with members of that group to address the threat in a meaningful way in the future. And we'll have more details on this soon, but we're going to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to insure freedom of navigation in the area. The straits are pretty important as we know, as you know, a large amount of commerce flows through their, international commerce flows through their on a daily basis. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. יונא בוב. שמרדת גרעון שתתפלת על עבורתם וכי להקראת עבורתם, אבל אני רוצה לך לך, אנחנו יודעים שבסגר מליטרית, כל מיני מליטרית, תהיה פעמים לסגר. וכמובן, כשתפלת מהפעמים, Your stance shifts a little bit, your activity shifts a little bit because you begin to focus on different things and what those things are, they'll be defined by the Israelis. But as you transition from one phase to another, it doesn't mean that, I mean that doesn't signal an end to the operation. It sometimes means that you're being more precise, you're being more focused on a specific target set. You're doing different things during that campaign. For example, in one phase you may have a higher intensity fighting, both air and ground. In another phase you may shift a little bit and then provide more humanitarian assistance while still focused on a discrete set of targets. Again, I'm not saying that that's what they would be looking at going forward. I will let the Israelis define their campaign and the phases of the campaign for themselves. But in any operation like this, any campaign, there will be phases. And the most difficult part is as you shift from one phase to the next, making sure that you have everything accounted for and you get it right. So that requires detailed planning and very thoughtful planning. And, sir, over to you. Thank you. The goals are the goals for the war. That means that by the end of the war, as long as it takes, we need to make sure that we have our hostages back, that we eliminate the Hamas abilities, and that's include destroying Hamas military capability and its ability to govern in Gaza. And it has certain parameters, including the amount of battalions that we need to dismantle and the chain of command and the supreme military leadership and so forth and so on. The phases are the technique which is part of the plan that we have to deploy in the area in order to achieve our goals. And as Secretary Austin said, this is only the way that we shape our plan in order to achieve the goals. And as it happened in the battlefield, the circumstances are changing. You change your efforts and you do something different in a different phase. And the intensity in the first phase is given. But in other phases, we will concentrate on certain issue, for instance, the engaging and detecting the supreme leadership of Hamas and others. So all in all, there is no clock that is running and we have to obey a certain day. But we need to get to different performances on the ground before we move to the next phase. And I believe that we will find the proper time to do so. And the most important issue, as I mentioned in the beginning, we will prevail. We will dismantle Hamas otherwise we will not be able to exist and live in the way we want to live in this region because there is a price to deter us. And they need to know that if they kill or kidnap 1500 people, including kids and women, this is the end of Hamas. Thank you very much everyone.