Israel’s DM Gallant calls to resolve differences with US – ‘Our enemies are watching’

Gallant talks Gaza War, Lebanon escalation and hostages during US trip

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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed the importance of resolving differences between the U.S. and Israel after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Monday.

“The eyes of both our enemies and our friends are on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. We must resolve the differences between us quickly and stand together – this is how we will achieve our goals and weaken our enemies,” said Gallant, who has been visiting the U.S. this week.

Blinken and the defense minister “held an extended one-on-one meeting, as well as a bilateral meeting with professional teams,” Gallant's office stated on Tuesday.

The latest flare-up in the difficult relations between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government came last week when Netanyahu publicly blasted the U.S. for slowing arms transfers to Israel in a video clip.

Gallant and Blinken spoke about efforts to return the Israeli hostages, as well as the “importance of promoting a governing alternative” to Hamas 'the day after' the war in the Gaza Strip.

Blinken “updated Minister Gallant on ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza during a post-conflict period and emphasized the importance of that work to Israel’s security,” the State Department noted.

Gallant’s office also said he raised the issue of “the transition to ‘Phase C’ in Gaza and its impact on the region, including vis-a-vis Lebanon” in his earlier talks with CIA Director Bill Burns and U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein.

In October 2023, Gallant laid out his vision for the three phases of the war against Hamas.

“The third phase will be the creation of a new security regime in the Gaza Strip, the removal of Israel's responsibility for daily life there, and the creation of a new security reality,” he said.

The third phase is widely expected to begin in the coming weeks, after the IDF officially announces the end of its ongoing operations in Rafah, located in southern Gaza.

The deteriorating security situation in northern Israel, where Hezbollah forces have escalated their attacks in recent weeks, was another central topic of conversation during Gallant’s visit.

According to his office, Gallant stressed the “importance of the U.S. standing with Israel in this mission, and its impact on the actions taken by Hezbollah and Iran,” in his meeting with Blinken.

Blinken “reaffirmed the US’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” the State Department noted.

“He also underscored the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict and reaching a diplomatic resolution that allows both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes.”

In an earlier meeting with Hochstein, who has been leading America's efforts to reach a diplomatic solution between Hezbollah and Israel, the two discussed what could be done to enable the safe return of the tens of thousands of displaced Israeli residents to their homes in the north.

In another meeting with CIA head Burns, Gallant discussed the remaining Israeli hostages, reiterating that “Israel’s primary commitment" is "to return the hostages, with no exception, to their families and homes.”

“The alliance between Israel and the United States, led by the U.S. over many years, is extremely important,” Gallant stated on Monday.

“Other than the IDF, our ties with the US are the most important element for our future from a security perspective... In areas where we have disagreements, we discuss everything in detail and reach agreements and solve issues. And I am sure this will be true this time, as well."