Israeli Defense Chief in Washington to Address Final Gaza War Phase and Lebanon Tensions

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant departed for Washington on Sunday to discuss the next phase of the Gaza war and escalating hostilities on the border with Lebanon. The exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have raised concerns about a broader conflict.

Since the October 7 assault by Hamas, Hezbollah has been attacking Israel, with both sides exchanging blows. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has declared that it will not cease attacks until a ceasefire is established in Gaza.

“We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in more areas,” Gallant stated before his departure. In Washington, he plans to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In June, Hezbollah launched its most significant attacks yet on Israeli towns and military sites using rockets and drones, following an Israeli strike that killed a senior Hezbollah commander. The situation has led to heightened tensions, with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein visiting both Israel and Lebanon last week in an attempt to defuse the situation.

An Israeli soldier was severely wounded by a drone strike on Sunday, highlighting the ongoing violence. Some Israeli officials suggest that the ongoing offensive in Rafah, the southern area of Gaza, could be linked to potential actions against Hezbollah.

Gallant mentioned the importance of transitioning to Phase C in Gaza and its implications for U.S. cooperation. Scaling back operations in Gaza could allow Israel to reallocate forces to confront Hezbollah if necessary.

The final phase of Israel’s Gaza offensive aims to wind down fighting while focusing on post-Hamas stabilization and reconstruction efforts. Gallant has been advocating for a clear post-war plan for Gaza that does not leave Israel in control, aligning with demands from the White House.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a delicate balance in maintaining his government, with demands from both the defense establishment and far-right coalition partners who oppose a post-Gaza strategy that might lead to a future Palestinian state.

Yuli Edelstein, head of Israel’s parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, acknowledged the complexity of fighting Hezbollah while managing southern front operations. He criticized a recent video by Netanyahu claiming the Biden administration withheld weapons from Israel, which led to tensions with the White House. Edelstein expressed hope that Gallant’s Washington visit would achieve more through private discussions than public pressure.

Promote the values and resilience of the State of Israel by sharing this article or subscribing to our newsletter.