The comments were made during a Hanukkah lighting ceremony, attended by President Shimon Peres.
"I'm glad that the civilians we defend can live their lives quietly, for as long as possible. Our role is to decrease the needs for miracles, and to that end, we must maintain alertness and readiness," Gantz added.
Gantz praised the soldiers of the Gaza Division for their work during Operation Pillar of Defense last month, saying they had concentrated information, sent out orders to forces, collected intelligence, and functioned in a defense manner.