Gallant to IDF pilots: After we strike in Iran, world will understand what you’ve been preparing for

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited the Hatzerim Air Force base on Wednesday, where he told pilots that “after we strike Iran, everyone will understand what your training process and preparation entailed.”

Gallant said the Israeli Air Force (IAF) is taking part in a war on seven fronts – in Gaza, Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran. “Anyone who tried to hurt us has paid a heavy price,” he noted. 

Gallant told the aircrews, “We have confidence in each one of you as individuals, as teams, squadrons and as a force.”

More than three weeks have passed since Iran launched its second ballistic missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1, and the anticipation of an Israeli retaliation is high.

This is not the first time Gallant has vowed a powerful response. A few days after the attack, Gallant told Fox News that “everything is on the table.” He stressed that Israel will act “in the manner of our choosing, and at the time and place of our choosing.”

Speaking to Intelligence Unit 9900 troops, responsible for gathering visual intelligence, Gallant said on Oct. 9: “The Iranian attack was aggressive, yet inaccurate. On the other hand, our strike will be powerful, precise and above all – surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened.” 

On Tuesday, Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both discussed the issue of the Iranian threat in separate meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken

“The United States’ stance with Israel following our attack on Iran, will strengthen regional deterrence and weaken the ‘axis of evil,’” Gallant told Blinken.

According to Hebrew media reports, during their 2.5-hour-long meeting, Blinken told Netanyahu that Israel’s response to Iran should be ‘measured’ or ‘downscaled.’

In remarks he made to reporters at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Wednesday, Blinken said: “Finally, even as we’re dealing with Gaza, with the hostages, with the humanitarian situation, it’s also been an imperative for us to try to make sure that this conflict doesn’t spread. We are resolute in our defense of Israel when it comes to attacks it’s receiving [from] Iran, from Iran’s proxies, and we stand with Israel, and we’ll always stand with Israel in its defense.”

While Israel has been preparing for a potential retaliatory attack on Iran, a severe breach at the Pentagon might have revealed top secrets about the IDF’s readiness to take action.

On Tuesday, the FBI said it was investigating the unauthorized release of U.S. classified documents that were posted on social media by an anonymous pro-Iranian account on Friday.

One report is titled: “Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations for Strike on Iran and Conducts a Second Large-Force Employment Exercise, 15-16 October 2024.”

Another leaked document describes the IDF’s “key munitions preparations and covert UAV activity on 16 October almost certainly for a strike on Iran.”

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told Fox News on Tuesday that the alleged leak of Israel's planned retaliation is "very concerning" and "scary."

“We are a strong ally with the U.S. We share intelligence with the United States and the thought about someone leaking intelligence – that’s scary. It’s a threat not only to Israeli troops and civilians – It’s a threat to the American people,” Danon said. “If someone thinks that they can stop Israel from retaliating to the threat that came from Iran, he is mistaken.”