Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced during a tour along the shores of Israel’s southern border that Israeli forces are “preparing thoroughly” for the next step in Operation Swords of Iron: a multilateral operation in the air, ground and sea.
Gallant completed a tour of the Ashdod Navy base, where he conducted a situation assessment of naval operations.
The defense minister also toured the shores on Israel’s southern border together with Navy Commander VADM David Saar Salama, and held discussions with the troops stationed in the area.
Gallant commended the troops for neutralizing dozens of terrorists and thwarting infiltration attempts from the Gaza Strip, and emphasized the integral role that the Navy will play in the next phase of the war.
“I have just patrolled our coast together with the men and women of the Israeli Navy. These are the people who fought the attack conducted by Hamas two weeks ago. They struck the terrorists and their boats, and then participated in the combat taking place on land,” Gallant commented.
The minister had high praise for the forces. “These young soldiers and their excellent commanders performed their jobs in an impressive manner and succeeded in thwarting many attacks that would have taken place against the State of Israel,” he said.
“My message to the soldiers: ‘Well done, you did an excellent job! Keep preparing for our operation, it will come soon,'” he said.
“We are preparing thoroughly for the next step, a multilateral operation in the air, ground, and sea. Do your work, get ready. We will need you.”
