In a significant development, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, conducted a visit to an Israeli Navy “Sa’ar 6” class Missile Ship sailing in the Gulf of Eilat on Wednesday. The visit aimed at assessing operational and intelligence activities, along with discussing the Navy’s preparations against potential threats in the Red Sea, particularly from Houthi terrorists based in Yemen.
During the visit, Minister Gallant, accompanied by Israel Navy’s Commander VADM David Saar Salama, received briefings on the current security situation and the Navy’s strategies in response to aerial and naval threats in the region. Notably, recent weeks have seen Houthi terrorists launching attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, raising concerns about the safety of maritime traffic.
Addressing the sailors, Minister Gallant emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Straits of Bab al-Mandab, located at the bottom of the Red Sea. He highlighted that the threat extends beyond Israel’s borders, affecting international freedom of navigation in waters shared by all countries.
Expressing Israel’s commitment to defending its interests, Minister Gallant issued a stern warning, stating, “The State of Israel will not tolerate threats against its sovereignty. If provoked, especially by Iran and the Houthi forces attempting to target Eilat, whether through missiles or other means, we will respond appropriately.” He assured that Israel’s Navy and Air Force are well-prepared to defend the country.
It’s worth noting that the “Sa’ar 6” class Missile Ship, a German-made corvette known as the “Storm,” plays a crucial role in Israel’s naval defense strategy. The visit by Minister Gallant underscores the nation’s determination to secure its maritime interests and respond decisively to any potential threats in the Red Sea.
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