Gantz presents Israel’s plan to achieve long-term quiet in Gaza to Blinken

Defense Minister Benny Gantz meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and thanks him for Washington’s support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens from Hamas rocket fire and its condemnation of antisemitism amid the 11-day Gaza war, his office says.

“The defense minister presented to the secretary of state the principles that were formulated by the defense establishment to obtain long-term quiet, return the boys [the bodies of IDF soldiers killed in Gaza being held by Hamas], and strengthening the Palestinian Authority while harming the military capabilities of the terror groups in Gaza,” Gantz’s office says.

“Gantz also discussed Israel’s security needs with Blinken, the preservation of its military edge in the region, and the need to act to prevent the nuclear advances of Iran, amid the talks taking place on the issue at this time,” the statement says.