Heading to Washington, Gallant says meetings will be ‘critical for the future of the war’

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant heads to Washington, touting the importance of Israel’s relationship with the United States and saying that the meetings will be decisive for the war.

“The relationship with the US is more important than ever,” Gallant says in the newly-released statement, filmed shortly before he left for the US.

“The meetings with the senior government officials are critical for the future of the war,” he says.

“During these meetings I plan to discuss developments [on the southern and northern fronts], in Gaza and Lebanon,” he says. “We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in additional areas.”

“The transition to ‘Phase 3’ in Gaza is of great importance. I will discuss this transition with US officials, touching on how it may enable additional things [to take place], and I know that we will achieve close cooperation with the US on this issue as well,” he says.

According to Hebrew media, Gallant is expected to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns and Special Envoy Amos Hochstein.

The main aim of the whirlwind is to get the US to unfreeze a shipment of heavy-duty bombs it has been withholding from Israel.

The trip comes amid a public spat between US President Joe Biden’s administration and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Tuesday issued a video statement attacking the US for its “inconceivable” weapons holdup, claiming that more arms shipments have also been held back.

The White House has since repeatedly insisted it has “no idea” what Netanyahu was referring to besides the one shipment, though the premier has since doubled down.

Some analysts have speculated that Netanyahu’s video was aimed at ensuring the premier would receive the credit if the US agreed to move forward with the transfer following Gallant’s visit.