During a speech at the “Lion of Israel” award ceremony hosted by the Magbit Foundation, which supports efforts to bolster Israel’s strength and resilience, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant delivered a sobering warning regarding the Iranian threat. “Israel has a narrow window of opportunity that may not return—we must act now against Iran’s nuclear program before it is too late,” he cautioned.
Gallant, who played a central role in overseeing key military decisions during the recent war, delivered a stark assessment of the remaining threats to the country. “Even after the impressive achievements in the war, Israel still faces one existential threat—a military nuclear capability in the hands of an irresponsible and dangerous regime in Iran. Today, there is no goalkeeper at Iran’s gate—this is the time to act.”
He referenced a major Israeli air operation from October, stating, “destroyed Iran’s air defense systems and missile production facilities in the most dramatic airstrike since the Six Day War.” He followed with a grim warning: “If we do not act soon and miss the opportunity to neutralize Iran’s nuclear facilities, it could be an irreversible gamble on Israel’s future.”
Turning to the situation in Gaza and the plight of Israeli hostages, Gallant shared that he had spoken to some of the freed captives, who had a unified message: “What gave them strength in captivity was the knowledge that the State of Israel would do everything to bring them home—this is our commitment.”
He stressed that the military’s role in Gaza must be aligned with a specific mission—paving the way for a hostage release agreement. “The military creates the conditions; the government must secure the deal.”
Gallant clarified the order of priorities going forward. “First, returning the hostages; then, eliminating Hamas and replacing it with an alternative. If we reverse the order, there will be no hostages left to bring back.”
He ended with an urgent appeal for decisive leadership. “This is not a choice between options—it is a national decision. The time to act is now.”
{Matzav.com}