From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Gallant tells Blinken IDF will continue targeting Hezbollah, even after ground op ends
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
It is crucial that the US stands with Israel after the Jewish state strikes Iran, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their meeting in Tel Aviv.
“The US’s joint stand with Israel after our attack in Iran will strengthen regional deterrence and weaken the axis of evil,” says Gallant, according to his office.
Jerusalem is widely expected to strike Iran after the Islamic Republic fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1.
After their one-on-one meeting, IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Director General Eyal Zamir and other senior defense officials join.
As the attendees discuss fighting in the Gaza Strip, Gallant pushes for the replacement of Hamas by “other regional and local entities,” says his office.
On Lebanon, Gallant says that Israel “will continue to systematically attack all of the terrorist organization’s units” even after the ground operation ends, until residents of northern Israel can return to their homes and Hezbollah forces retreat from southern Lebanon.
The Times of Israel Community.