On Monday, Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, urged Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, to promptly devise a comprehensive post-conflict strategy for Gaza and effectively manage tensions with Hizbullah along the northern Israeli border. Following their conversation, the US state department issued a statement noting that Blinken had informed Minister Gallant about ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at improving security, governance, and post-conflict rebuild in Gaza and emphasized their significance to Israel’s security.
The US has consistently called on Israel to generate a feasible post-conflict strategy for Gaza, warning of possible disorder and the potential resurgence of Hamas due to such a strategy’s lack. An end to Israel’s occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state is the only path to peace, according to the Palestinians.
Moreover, the State Department mentioned Blinken’s emphasis on avoiding further conflict escalation and reaching a diplomatic settlement that would allow Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their home.
Middle East tension continues to rise following Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s announcement that the winding down of intensified conflict in Gaza would facilitate the deployment of more Israeli forces along the Lebanese border. Earlier this month, Hizbullah launched a significant attack on Israeli towns and military facilities using rockets and drones after an Israeli strike resulted in the highest-ranking Hizbullah commander’s death yet.
On his visit to Washington DC, Minister Gallant held meetings with Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, who are top advisors to US President Joe Biden, and also with CIA Director Bill Burns. He is scheduled to meet Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.
As Gallant, for whom the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan seeks an arrest warrant, entered the department building, a small crowd protested, chanting and waving a Palestinian flag. The Israeli minister characterised his Washington meetings as “critical”, according to a statement from his office. He specifically cited their potential impact on the future of the Gaza conflict, northern border developments, and other areas.
At a previous press conference, state department representative Matthew Miller informed the media of Washington’s aim to advance in discussions with Gallant, however, noted that no agreement has been reached with Israel concerning a post-conflict strategy for Gaza, despite Israel nearing the completion of significant military activities in Rafah.
He underlined the continuous stance of the US that to achieve a lasting defeat of Hamas, a subsequent plan is required. This plan should be led by the Palestinians themselves and entail practical security plans, he added.
“We oppose the idea of them reclaiming Gaza, and so we persistently advocate for an alternative,” commented Mr Miller.
Hamas gained control of Gaza in 2006 after the evacuation of Israeli army and settlers in 2005, with The United Nations still regarding the area as occupied by Israel. Noteworthy is that Israel regulates access to Gaza. Over the past months, support for Hamas has increased among the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The conflict was triggered when Hamas militants from Palestine launched an attack against Israel on October 7th by crossing the border, resulting in the death of 1,200 individuals and abduction of 250 others, as per Israeli statistics.
In response to this, the Israeli counterattack has caused an estimated 37,600 deaths as per Palestinian health authorities, leaving Gaza in a state of wreckage. – Reuters
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