Defense minister tells Israelis to prepare for intense days, 'keep calm'

A day after Hezbollah launched its heaviest barrage on the Lower Galillee and Haifa region since the start of the war, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a home front readiness assessment meeting on Monday morning. "As we enter this new phase of the war, our success hinges on the proper conduct of the home front," Gallant stated. "We face days ahead where the public will need to demonstrate level-headedness."

The assessment included high-ranking defense officials. Gallant stressed the necessity of bolstering preparedness across all domains and highlighted the significance of collaboration between security entities, government ministries, and local authorities.

I repeat and reiterate: Israel does not seek war. But we have the right and the duty to defend our people.

Here's just an example of the threat we face. This IDF video shows how Hezbollah stores and launches missiles in civilian areas and homes. Thousands and thousands of long… pic.twitter.com/mqQryzD8Er

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) September 23, 2024

The IDF launched a series of preemptive airstrikes on Monday after it saw signs that Hezbollah war preparing an attack on northern communities, including through the use of cruise missiles from Lebanese civilian homes.

Following the assessment, Gallant remarked, "The resilience of the home front is the linchpin that enables the IDF to fight, achieve objectives, and strike the enemy. This has been ongoing for about a year now in a remarkably impressive manner." He added, "We are intensifying our operations in Lebanon. The sequence of actions continues and will persist until we attain our goals - safely returning northern residents to their homes."

Gallant emphasized the crucial role of home front behavior: "The public must keep calm, discipline, and unwavering adherence to Home Front Command instructions. The distinction between success and failure lies in citizens entering protected spaces and other designated locations as instructed, which has proven life-saving."