Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv and tells him that Israel will intensify its operations in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis region until Hamas leaders are found and the Israeli hostages are freed.
According to a readout of the meeting, Gallant briefed Blinken on the war developments and noted Israel’s “changes in combat tactics” in north Gaza, where the military has scaled back some of the fighting due to operational control.
Gallant “emphasized that operations in the region of Khan Younis will intensify and continue until Hamas leadership is detected, and Israeli hostages return home safely,” says the readout.
The defense minister also discussed regional tensions with Blinken and Iranian attacks via its proxies.
“An increase in the pressure placed on Iran is critical, and may prevent regional escalation in additional arenas,” Gallant told Blinken.
He said Israel’s top priority currently is to enable the return of residents to northern Israel, where fighting with Hezbollah has intensified amid fears of a broader conflagration.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
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