Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, 11:20 a.m. MDT
Israel Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant hosted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Israel Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv. The one-on-one meeting was followed by a wider bilateral meeting together with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi.
Gallant and Blinken discussed security challenges in the Middle East region, as well as the efforts being made to ensure the return of the hostages and to dismantle the Hamas terrorist organization.
Gallant noted that Israel’s defense establishment is committed to continue operating in Gaza until the goals of the war are achieved — the return of the hostages and dismantling Hamas. He emphasized the importance of ongoing military pressure placed by Israel on Hamas, alongside the need for ongoing US political pressure on Hamas, until a framework is achieved that will enable the return of hostages to Israel.
At the onset of the meeting, Gallant showed Blinken a picture he keeps in his office, of the 12 children who were killed as a result of a Hezbollah attack on the northern town of Majdal Shams.
Gallant expressed his appreciation to Blinken for his leadership and thanked the US Administration for their work to ensure regional stability and for the their deep commitment to Israel’s security.
