Israeli War Cabinet Benny Gantz says Israel fighting for its ‘existence’ in Christmas message

Israeli Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 28. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Israeli War Cabinet Minster Benny Gantz said Israel was fighting for its “existence” amid its war with Hamas in a Christmas message on Sunday. 

In a post on X, Gantz said Christians in Israel and around the world share an “unbreakable bond” and a friendship “that has been a bright light in the darkness.”   

“We promise to continue protecting this Holy Land that we all cherish, the religious freedom to worship freely in it, and the people that make this sacred place so special,” he wrote on X. 

The message came amid a violent day in Gaza that has seen more than a dozen Israeli troops killed and dozens of Gazans also dead, according to Hamas’ health ministry.