Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, is in Washington for a second day of meetings with top Biden administration officials, as tensions rise over the U.S. decision to support a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Gallant is set to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin and C.I.A. director William J. Burns to discuss preserving Israel’s military edge, particularly its air power, which is supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance annually.
The visit comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the U.S. for abstaining from the U.N. Security Council vote, calling it a “retreat” from previous positions and harmful to the war effort.
In response to the cease-fire resolution, Netanyahu canceled plans to send a delegation to Washington to discuss a potential offensive in Rafah, a move U.S. officials warned could have catastrophic consequences for civilians.
Meetings on Monday with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken emphasized the need for humanitarian aid to Gaza and opposition to an invasion of Rafah.
Despite ongoing talks to reach a cease-fire and release Israeli hostages, Hamas has rejected the latest proposal, citing demands for a prisoner exchange and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Efforts to bridge the gap in negotiations have so far been unsuccessful, with Hamas insisting on a “true prisoner exchange” and Israel accepting a compromise proposed by the U.S. delegation. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to seek a resolution to the conflict.
