On October 10, 2023, Georgian-language Facebook pages (1, 2) published a quote from the Minister of Defense of Israel, Yoav Gallant: “We abolished all the rules of war; our soldiers are not responsible for anything. There will be no military courts.”
The same quote was disseminated by the Georgian language Facebook users (1, 2, 3, 4)
The same statement ascribed to the Minister of Defense was published in the Russian media on October 10, 2023 (1, 2), including Взгляд and Царьград. When disseminating the quote, part of the media outlets rely on the Belarusian edition of Sputnik, which published the quote on its Telegram channel. Part (1,2) of the Russian-language sources note that the statement was made by the Minister of Defense of Israel on October 10, 2023.
The Russian-language Facebook page Novosti+ and Facebook accounts (1,2,3,4) have disseminated the quote as well.
The quote attributed to Yoav Gallant is fabricated. In an address broadcast on October 10, the Israeli Defense Minister said that Israel had gone on a full offensive and would change the reality in the Gaza Strip, although he did not mention the abolishment of the rules of war and the complete release from responsibility of the Israeli military.
On October 10, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Israel had gone on the offensive and that the Gaza Strip would never be the same again. Gallant made the statement during a meeting with Israeli soldiers on the front line in the border zone between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
“I have released all the restraints, we have [regained] control of the area, and we are moving to a full offense. […] You will have the ability to change the reality here. You have seen the prices [being paid], and you will get to see the change. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza, it will change 180 degrees from what it thought. […] They will regret this moment, Gaza will never return to what it was. Whoever comes to decapitate, murder women, Holocaust survivors — we will eliminate him with all our might, and without compromise.” – said Gallant during the address.
The video of the address was published on Yoav Galant’s X (Twitter) account. For additional verification of information, “Myth Detector” contacted the fact-checking service of the Israeli publication Globes. The representative of Globes confirmed to “Myth Detector” that the disseminated quote did not appear in this appeal, nor was it covered by other Israeli media.
Gallant mentioned the rules of war during a meeting with the military in the city of Ofakim on October 8, but not in the context of disregarding the law of war and taking no responsibility for committing war crimes on the part of Israel.
“The rules of war have changed. The price the Gaza Strip will pay will be a very heavy price, that will change reality for generations.” – said Gallant.
On October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on Israel. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the attack was a response to Israel’s attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque. He claimed that Israel was determined to take over this mosque, which the Palestinian people would not allow. The offensive, which began with massive rocket attacks on Jewish cities, continued with the breaching of the Gaza-Israel border and attacks by Hamas gunmen on civilians and Israeli bases, resulting in the terrorists killing more than 1,200 people and kidnapping 150. Israel responded by declaring war, regaining control of the border, and killing up to 1,500 Hamas fighters. More than 950 Palestinians died after the bombing of the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would destroy Hamas and take revenge for the attack.
About the Sources
Lawyer Irakli Zakareishvili regularly publishes anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian, and anti-opposition content, including fabricated quotes. “Myth Detector” has verified the false information spread by the user many times in the past (1, 2, 3).
False information spread by Davit Lortkifanidze was verified by “Myth Detector” in the past as well. In addition, he has been involved in several discrediting campaigns (1, 2).
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