Everybody wants a ceasefire, but we want to return the power
of deterrence to the army. We are sick and tired of getting
more terror and more Qassam (rockets) and more temporary
ceasefires every month. It seems that our government
has lost its deterrence power. It seems they do not
understand what is going on.
People came out today because of the victory of the resistance
factions and these people support the resistance factions.
We tell the resistance factions - all the people are behind you and
the victory of the resisting factions is a victory of the Palestinians.
We congratulate ourselves and we congratulate our people
because we have these brave resistance factions which have
proved and keep on proving every day that they are responsible
and can repulse the aggression (of Israel) and rein it.
There have been daily efforts by Qatar and Egypt to contribute
significantly to reaching a ceasefire and the resistance responded
and broke the rules of the occupation.
I'm here to announce my resignation as the Defense
Minister of the state of Israel. The question asked, why now?
From my perspective, what happened yesterday,
yesterday's ceasefire, in context with the process
to reach an arrangement with Hamas, is a capitulation to terror.
There is no other definition for it, no other meaning that
capitulating to terror.
What I'm also asking for, is to set a date as soon
as possible for national elections.
The truth is that formation of the government hit a big obstacle,
some might want to call it the obstacle of March 8 Sunnis
(Hezbollah-dominated political bloc), but I see it bigger than this.
It's very unfortunate that Hezbollah has put itself in a position, so it is
(Hezbollah's) responsibility for obstructing the government.
I did my part and the government is ready.
President (Michel) Aoun and Speaker (Nabih) Berri know this.
Let everyone do their part, so that the country can move forward.