IRIA News

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant in separate meetings in Washington. Gallant marked his first visit to the U.S. since assuming the role.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense on March 26, 2024, the U.S. Secretary and Israeli Minister confirmed their mutual commitment to defeating Hamas.

This visit from the Israeli defense minister comes after nearly six months of intense collaboration between the two leaders since the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, showcasing the steadfast support of the United States for Israel’s enduring security.

The Pentagon Press Secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the meeting covered topics related to the safety of residents seeking refuge in Rafah, Israel’s ongoing efforts against Hamas in Gaza, and enhancing hostage security measures.

The gathering, which also featured U.S. Military Chief General C.Q. Brown, occurred amidst heightened tensions between the United States and Israel over the global concerns over the escalating humanitarian situation in Gaza and disagreements on political strategies to attain a cease-fire.

Israel asserts that it cannot overcome Hamas without entering Rafah, a move that the U.S. and several countries have opposed. Israel claims that a Hamas group has four battalions consisting of thousands of fighters in Rafah.

However, U.S. officials are urging Israel to avoid a ground invasion of Rafah the southern part of Gaza is full of refugees seeking shelter from Israel’s brutal attacks. A ground operation in Rafah would only add to the already staggering casualties. The U.S. has been urging Israel to explore alternative methods to defeat Hamas.

Rising casualties

“Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and the situation is getting even worse,” Austin said during his meeting with Galland, using some of his most forceful language about Israel so far. “In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low,” Austin said, sitting across from Gallant in a meeting.

Israel’s military offensive has resulted in the deaths of more than 32,000 Palestinians, as reported by local health authorities, and has pushed one-third of Gaza’s population to the brink of famine. The offensive was initiated following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 individuals.

Hamas abducted approximately 250 people during its attack and they still hold roughly 100 hostages and the remains of approximately 30 others. Most of the remaining hostages were released during a ceasefire last year in exchange for the liberation of Palestinian detainees.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unexpectedly called off a high-level visit to Washington this week in protest of the U.N. Security Council’s decision to endorse an immediate cease-fire. The U.S. chose to abstain from using its veto power, resulting in the resolution passing with a vote of 14-0.

Meeting with US Secretary of State

On March 25, Gallant met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The two officials discussed Israel’s intentions to start a military operation in Rafah.

The State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reported on the meeting saying that “the Secretary reiterated the United States’ support for ensuring the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah while reiterating opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah that would further jeopardize the welfare of the more than 1.4 million Palestinian civilians sheltering there.”

He added that “the Secretary underscored that alternatives exist to a major ground invasion that would both better ensure Israel’s security and protect Palestinian civilians. Secretary Blinken also discussed the need to immediately surge and sustain additional humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza.”

At the U.S. Department of State with my friend @SecBlinken. We discussed developments in the war against Hamas, and the military operations required to destroy Hamas as a military and governing authority in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/4nyOpvl2Hc

— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) March 26, 2024

During his stay in Washington, the Israeli defense minister also held a meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, during which Sullivan conveyed to Gallant the importance of increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, as stated by White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.

Later, Gallant engaged in discussions with CIA Director William Burns, who had recently returned from talks in Qatar aimed at securing the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.