Defense Minister Gallant Calls Collaboration With US Important As Israel Prepares To Face Iranian Attacks

Defense Minister Gallant during a visit to Israel's Tel Hanof Air Force Base. (Source: Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called collaboration with the United States very important, as Israel prepares to confront Iranian attacks and their proxies.

That was said by Defense Minister Gallant while visiting an Israeli Air Force base in Tel Hanof.

"Every day you increase your readiness in defense and sharpen your offensive capabilities," Defense Minister Gallant told air force personnel, according to a statement from his office.

Defense Minister Gallant said he had been working in recent days to "coordinate" in the face of Iranian attacks, recording his meeting with CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurila and frequently making phone calls with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin.

"They have a lot of desire to help. This collaboration is a very important component," he said.

Last week, Defense Minister Gallant told soldiers in Arrow's long-range missile defense system battery, "We don't want war, but we are prepared for anything."

Iran is known to warn Israel will take a firm response after the murder of the late Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.

Haniyeh was present in Iran's capital to attend the inauguration of the elected president Masoud Pezeshkian Tuesday afternoon. Haniyeh met Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Pezeshkian before the inauguration. He was confirmed to have died at his inn by Hamas on Wednesday morning the next.

Israel has been on alert since last week. Apart from Haniyeh's death, threats also came from Hezbollah, after one of its senior commanders, Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli attack on Beirut, the day before Haniyeh's death. Unlike the attack on Shukr, Israel did not claim responsibility for the attack on Haniyeh.