Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington, DC, on 23 June for talks with top US political and military leaders on the future of the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
In comments released before leaving Israel, Gallant said, “The meetings with the senior [US] government officials are critical for the future of the war. We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in additional areas.”
He noted, “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.”
“Stage 3” refers to a point where the “main war” is over but where the Israeli army continues to fight against Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, and other groups in the Gaza Strip.
While in Washington, Gallant is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns, and Special Envoy Amos Hochstein.
Gallant is accompanied by several top Israeli military officials. They are set to hold meetings with senior officials in the US military and present Israel’s plans for a potential major offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as presenting the results of the ongoing operation in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah.
The exchange of fire between Israel and Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Israel assassinated a senior Hezbollah commander, Abu Talib, and has deepened its strikes inside Lebanon.
In return, Hezbollah has sent larger volleys of drones and missiles across the border.
Israeli leaders have recently issued statements threatening an all-out invasion of Lebanon, saying they will destroy civilian areas of Beirut and push Hezbollah’s forces away from the border and behind the Litani River.
The Israeli military recently announced that senior officers had approved “operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon.”
In a televised speech on Wednesday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah responded by saying, “Israel knows very well that no place will be safe from our missiles and drones” if Israel launches an all-out war.
On Saturday night, Hezbollah released a video titled ‘To Whom It May Concern,’ disclosing coordinates of vital Israeli targets such as Ashdod Port, Haifa, military bases in the Negev Desert, and more.
BREAKING | Hezbollah publishes 'TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN' – a video revealing the coordinates of extremely sensitive Israeli targets that would be targeted in the event of all-out war with Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/ABoXFGRmuZ
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 22, 2024
This followed drone footage published days earlier by Hezbollah of military installations and civilian infrastructure in the Israeli city of Haifa, indicating the movement’s ability to locate and target strategic points in Israel with its vast arsenal of missiles, rockets, and drones.