Gallant says no reason for troops to remain in Gaza
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Speaking to the families of Israeli captives held in Gaza, Yoav Gallant affirms that the IOF was still in Gaza because of mere desires rather than political goals.
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Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant makes a joint statement with his US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, after their meeting in Tel Aviv, on Dec. 18, 2023. (AP)
Outgoing Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly informed the families of Israeli captives held in Gaza that the Israeli occupation forces had no reason to stay in the Strip.
Israeli media outlets reported that Gallant expressed skepticism, along with IOF Chief Herzi Halevi, regarding claims that there were valid security or diplomatic reasons to keep troops in Gaza.
"I can tell you what there was not, security considerations. Me and the IDF chief said there was no security reason for remaining in the Philadelphi Corridor," we was cited as saying by Israeli Channel 12, rebuking Netanyahu's claims of the existence of any security consideration.
He further insisted that "Israel" has achieved all there is to achieve in Gaza, stressing that the sole reason the military still was not withdrawn was because "there is a desire to be there."
Gallant additionally stated that the notion of "Israel" needing to stay in Gaza to establish stability was an "inappropriate" idea to risk soldiers' lives for, according to reports.
These remarks are the most direct yet in underscoring the growing divide between Gallant, who supported a ceasefire to secure the release of captives, and Netanyahu, who dismissed the minister on Tuesday.
Thousands block Tel Aviv highway in protest against Gallant dismissal
In a massive, spontaneous demonstration sparked by the ouster of Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant by PM Benjamin Netanyahu, thousands of protesters blocked Tel Aviv's Ayalon Highway, "Israel's" primary traffic route, bringing traffic to a standstill in both directions.
The protest erupted late Tuesday night, with demonstrators starting bonfires and constructing makeshift barricades from uprooted road signs and abandoned construction materials.
The swift and unplanned nature of the protest left police with limited resources on-site, as they were unable to block the highway entrances with trucks, a common tactic for the regular Saturday night protests.
The crowd was estimated to exceed 2,000 people, well above the Israeli Occupation Forces' (IOF) restrictions on public gatherings in Tel Aviv.
Israeli media: Clashes break out on Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Boulevard as protesters block the road in response to Gallant's dismissal. pic.twitter.com/Oh97qXCQZ7
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 5, 2024
Following his sacking, Gallant made a statement, wherein he revealed that contrary to Netanyahu's claims, his dismissal mainly had to do with his stance on the ultra-Orthodox draft law Netanyahu is attempting to pass.
He further criticized Netanyahu's approach to the war saying “We have lost hundreds of fighters and soldiers in this battle and are carrying the burden of thousands of injured and disabled, with the war still ongoing.”
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
