Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was on his way to Washington on Sunday for “critical” discussions about the intensifying cross-border tensions with Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and the Gaza war, which has been going on since October 7.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, expressed optimism that the US would move quickly to unfreeze the supply of guns and ammunition from Israel’s main partner, which he claimed had decreased significantly in recent months.
The senior right-wing leader of Israel and US President Joe Biden have been at differences over the rising number of civilian deaths in Gaza. However, US officials claim not to have known what Netanyahu was alluding to on the arms issue.
“About four months ago, there was a dramatic drop in the supply of armaments arriving from the US to Israel,” the Israeli prime minister informed his cabinet on Sunday. We were given a variety of justifications, but nothing altered the fundamental reality.”
“In light of what I have heard in the last day, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future,” he said, expressing hope that the matter would soon be settled.
A day after tens of thousands protested against the government and called for the release of Hamas hostages, Israeli soldiers attacked Gaza once more on Sunday.
On Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where the army and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement have been exchanging cross-border gunfire every day, tensions have also grown, raising the possibility of a full-scale conflict.
“We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in additional areas,” Gallant declared as he promised to “discuss developments in Gaza and Lebanon.”
“Our ties with the United States are more important than ever,” he emphasized. The outcome of this battle depends on our discussions with US officials.”
