Israel Hayom's "Tomorrow's Conference" opened Tuesday at the International Convention Center in Ashkelon. IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari was a guest at the conference and was asked about a potential response to the Iranian attack, the regional coalition, a framework for a deal to return captives, and the situation on the Israeli home front.
"On Saturday, Iran attacked the State of Israel with 350 different launches. This was stopped, and Iran failed in its attack. It was stopped thanks to capabilities built up in the State of Israel over years in the defense industries. It was stopped thanks to a historic air defense battle that will be studied extensively around the world. A defense battle in which Israeli Air Force pilots downed swarms of aircraft," Hagari said.
Video: Hagari speaks with Israel Hayom on April 16, 2024
"Additionally, something very big happened: a regional coalition led by the US, Britain, and France came together perfectly – in the air, on land, and at sea – and together intercepted 99% of the threat before it entered Israel. In the end, four ballistic missiles hit the Nevatim base without causing damage. Thanks to our operational success on Saturday, we now have many options for how and when to act. We will act properly and at the right time, and any discussion on this matter is unnecessary.
"It is impossible not to respond to such an attack. We will act at the time and place of our choosing, and any discussion about it is unnecessary. We are in a high state of readiness even now as we speak – pilots are here defending the skies, we have fighters on the borders. Just a few minutes ago there was an incident on the northern border with unmanned aircraft.
"In the past six months, we have been working to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. There was a failure on October 7, and since then there has been a great recovery. In recent days, there has been a development due to what happened with Iran, but it also brings strategic opportunities. A coalition arose and said 'No more, we will not allow this.' This is a great opportunity that must be seized. We must remember that our war is in Gaza, we have captives in Gaza, and we must not divert our attention from there."
Hagari lauded Israel's defensive capabilities which were able to intercept 99% of the 350 missiles and drones launched by Iran on Saturday. He credited years of investment in air defense systems as well as the performance of Israeli Air Force pilots in "a historic air defense battle that will be studied extensively around the world."
However, the senior military official made clear that Iran's attempted aggression would not go unanswered.
"It is impossible not to respond to such an attack. We will act at the time and place of our choosing," Hagari stated bluntly. "We are in a high state of readiness even now."
Hagari also revealed that a US-led coalition involving Britain and France played a crucial role in thwarting the Iranian strikes before the projectiles could even reach Israeli airspace.
"A regional coalition led by the US, Britain, and France came together perfectly – in the air, on land, and at sea," he explained. "This brings strategic opportunities. A coalition arose and said 'No more, we will not allow this.'"
Despite the averted crisis with Iran, the IDF spokesman stressed that the military's focus remains on Gaza, where Israeli civilians are being held captive by Hamas militants. He vowed not to "divert our attention from there."
Hagari also addressed the plight of Israeli citizens who have been displaced from their homes for six months due to the conflict. "This is an opportunity to talk about the home front and the residents, especially those who left their homes and are in difficulties that no one can understand, a difficulty that we as a society must be sensitive to," he stated. "In the military, we need to act and do everything we can so they can return home, but only when there is no threat. All Israeli citizens are living in difficulty, and we need to be sensitive and coordinate with the municipalities."
The military spokesman added, "We will do everything we can to ease the situation. We feel the difficulty. Our role is to ease the situation for the public, but the security of the state's residents is paramount. So far, the residents have acted with exemplary responsibility. We need to do everything so that 1.9 million people can return to their schools and homes."
Turning to the captives crisis with Hamas in Gaza, Hagari said "I want to talk about the captives because that's what's important. I don't think Sinwar doesn't want a deal - he wants it on his terms. It was the same during the time of Gilad Schalit."
He vowed that Israel would eventually decapitate the Hamas leadership through targeted killings. "We are at war with Hamas, and on a military level we have defeated 19 out of 24 of their battalions, but it is a terrorist organization and we need to make sure we eliminate the leaders - it will take time but we will get to all of them."
Hagari claimed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is in hiding, speculating "maybe he expected that the Iranian war on Saturday would work in his favor. We need to see that our regional balance is strengthening – this will weaken Hamas. Any action we take in Gaza, in maneuvers and eliminating leaders, needs to advance the return of the captives."
The IDF spokesperson said investigations have already begun to draw lessons, adding "We will also take responsibility at all levels. We must earn the public's trust, and public trust comes with taking responsibility."
Despite the averted crisis with Iran, Hagari stressed the military's focus remains on Hamas. "We will do everything in the IDF, with a wide deployment, to allow the citizens of the State of Israel to sit securely at the Seder night. We are in a complex security reality; if there are changes, we will update the public."
