Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will visit Washington on Sunday to meet with senior U.S. officials, the Israeli government announced, amid rising tensions between the Biden administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The Israeli government said Gallant will meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The meeting, which was invited by Mr. Austin, came days after Mr. Blinken clashed with Israeli leaders over the course of the Israel-Hamas war. The Biden administration has been pressuring Israel to slow its military advance into Gaza and reduce civilian casualties, with little success, and Democratic leaders have in recent weeks been more open in criticizing the country. I’m strengthening it.
Blinken, who visited Tel Aviv on Friday, said Israel’s invasion of Rafah, the last remaining major settlement in Gaza, would be a “mistake” and “something we cannot support.”
“And dealing with Hamas is not necessary, but it is necessary.” He said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the invasion of Rafah is necessary and will continue.
“I told him that we would like to do this with the support of the United States, but we would do it alone if necessary,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday, referring to his conversations with Prime Minister Blinken.
Gallant said the meeting will focus on defense strategy.
“At the top of our priority list is how to dismantle Hamas and eliminate it as a military and government institution, the continued strengthening of the IDF, and maintaining our qualitative advantage in the Middle East,” he said in a statement. . post on X (formerly Twitter).
The Biden administration is also pressuring Israel for humanitarian aid, as nonprofit groups warn that Gaza is suffering from widespread hunger. Construction on a US port facility in Gaza began this week as the US again urges Israel to accept more aid to the region.
Meanwhile, negotiators from Israel, Qatar, the United States and Hamas continue to discuss a second hostage deal aimed at suspending fighting. After rejecting a deal earlier this month, Israeli negotiators announced on Sunday that the country would accept conditions to release some 700 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the return of 40 hostages. According to Israeli media.
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