Defense min. following Breaking Dawn: “significant achievements in weakening Islamic Jihad” • “Israel’s deterrence in Gaza Strip regained”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz gave a detailed interview Tuesday to Walla! in the aftermath of Operation Breaking Dawn, future IDF operations and activities on all fronts, including increasing tensions in the West Bank, maritime border disputes with Lebanon and Hezbollah and Iran, following the ceasefire agreement with the Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the end of what Gantz called an “extremely satisfactory” operation.
How do you feel following Operation Breaking Dawn?
“I feel good and satisfied and I would like to start by taking the opportunity to thank all Israeli citizens and particularly residents of Israel’s South, for the unity shown behind the state, the IDF, Israel Police and Shin Bet.
“I am extremely satisfied with the operation’s results. I am not being complacent or arrogant. We met this operation with a comfortable strategic setting in Gaza, functioning relations with neighboring states, thought-out operations and with a good intelligence infrastructure.
“We have made significant achievements in terms of weakening the Islamic Jihad because Israel’s deterrence in the Gaza Strip has been regained and our freedom of action has been retained. When an opportunity meets a necessity to use our force, we use it precisely.”
What was the most outstanding achievement?
“The direct hits on the PIJ’s military infrastructure and its chain of command. Our ability to carry out targeted operations in such a precise and effective manner with very limited civilian casualties. Unfortunately, the operation was not clean of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, some down to failed launches from inside the Strip.”
Does Israel still maintain the freedom to maneuver in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank despite the Egypt-brokered ceasefire?
“First of all, I hope the ceasefire lasts.”
“We are interested in maintaining our security in quiet in the region. However, if the situation changes we will hold a situational assessment and see what can be done. Don’t forget we were active near Nablus just last night and this morning.”
“Our activities to weaken terrorist organizations and strengthen the Palestinian Authority, as much as we can, are ongoing.”
Lebanon ‘creating an incident it does not need’ in Karish gas field
Will Israel use gas in the Karish field amid the threat of a terrorist attack from Hezbollah?
“Let me be very clear: The Karish gas field is located within Israel’s maritime borders.
“Israel will use its energy resources as it sees fit. We find ourselves in US-mediated negotiations with the Lebanese government. We are firm in our commitment to reach a conclusion that will allow Lebanon to also use its resources.
“Lebanon should not be creating an incident it does not need. We are not looking to start wars, but if we must, we will.”
Gantz ‘following Russian-Iranian relations closely’
Can you foresee a situation in which Russia allows Syrian and Iranian forces to launch missiles toward Israeli jets?
“Currently, there is no change (on the Syrian front). Of course, I am following the warming Russian-Iranian relations, mainly due to international reactions to the fighting in Ukraine, closely.
“Any operation we carry out on this front is necessary and is carried out on the assessment that the situation allows us to act.”
What is Israel doing behind the scenes amid nuclear talks between Iran and world powers?
“We are following the nuclear negotiations closely. Whether they are coming to fruition or not is debated.
“As I understand it, Europe submitted a proposal it called its “final” to the Iranians. We are trying to influence proceedings to ensure that, if an agreement is reached, it will have as few loopholes as possible.
“In any case, we have our own capabilities which we continue to develop and consolidate. We have many projects that have been ongoing for years.”
As reported by The Jerusalem Post