:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/Q7JC5OYO5YZW4MCELA6P5HYG2E.jpg "Defense leaders from Israel and the United States met in Washington to study the situation in the Gaza Strip")
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Tuesday to discuss alternative ways to address the Hamas terrorist group in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza. The meeting comes as tensions between the two allies continue to grow, with the United States warning against a ground invasion in Rafah.
During the meeting, Austin expressed concern over the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza and the low level of aid deliveries, but reiterated the United States‘ support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Gallant, on the other hand, emphasized the ongoing threats facing Israel and the need to destroy Hamas and free Israeli hostages.
Notably, Austin did not mention the possibility of limiting or conditioning future military aid to Israel on achieving humanitarian progress, a move that some members of Congress have been advocating for. Gallant, for his part, focused on the importance of cooperation between the two countries to ensure Israel’s military advantage and capabilities.
The meeting between the defense leaders also comes amid strained relations between the United States and Israel, following the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a high-level visit to Washington in protest of the resolution, accusing the United States of “retreating” from a principled stance.
Israel argues that it cannot defeat Hamas without entering Rafah, where it claims the group has significant military presence. However, American officials are pressing Israel to explore alternative strategies to defeat Hamas and avoid a ground invasion.
The escalating tensions between the United States and Israel highlight the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the political discord surrounding efforts to achieve a ceasefire. The dispute underscores the erosion in US-Israel relations that has been a focal point for months as the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate.