US says Blinken pressed Gallant on Gaza aid, called to ‘avoid further escalation’ on Lebanon border

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to take additional steps to protect humanitarian workers and ensure the delivery of aid throughout Gaza during his meeting with visiting Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier today, the State Department says.

The US readout is a regurgitation of US talking points about the Israel-Hamas war.

It says the pair discussed ongoing efforts to secure a hostage-ceasefire deal, which Arab and Israeli officials said earlier today were complicated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim on Sunday that he was only interested in implementing part of the deal before resuming military operations in Gaza. The premier subsequently attempted to walk back his comments, insisting that he remains committed to the Israeli proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden last month.

During today’s meeting, Blinken “emphasized the need to take additional steps to protect humanitarian workers in Gaza and deliver assistance throughout Gaza in full coordination with the United Nations, the State Department readout says.

Blinken also updated Gallant on US planning for the post-war governance of Gaza and “emphasized the importance of that work to Israel’s security,” according to the US readout. Washington has repeatedly criticized Jerusalem over this issue, arguing that failure to plan for “the day after” will lead to Israel either permanently occupying Gaza or a state of chaos in the Strip that will allow for Hamas to reconstitute.

Regarding the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Blinken “underscored the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict and reaching a diplomatic resolution that allows both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes,” the US readout says, adding that the secretary “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.”