U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gestures as he walks with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, Israel, May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
Today, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will emphasize to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant the necessity for Israel to swiftly develop a robust and realistic governance plan for Gaza for post-war conditions, according to the U.S. State Department. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated during a press briefing that Blinken will also discuss the need to avoid further escalation of the Gaza conflict and to enhance humanitarian access.
“We aim to make progress on all these issues,” Miller remarked.
Gallant, who is visiting Washington this week and meeting with senior U.S. officials, arrived at the State Department shortly before his scheduled meeting with Blinken at 1 p.m. Outside the building, a small group of protesters chanted and displayed a Palestinian flag as Gallant entered. Describing his meetings in Washington, Gallant labeled them as “critical,” according to a statement from his office.
“The meetings we are conducting are extremely important and impactful on the future of the war in Gaza, our ability to achieve the goals of the war, developments on the northern border, and other areas,” Gallant said.
Washington has consistently urged Israel to devise a post-war plan for Gaza, warning that the absence of such a plan could lead to lawlessness, chaos, and a potential resurgence of Hamas in the enclave. As of now, Israel has not presented a comprehensive plan.
“For there to be an enduring defeat of Hamas, there must be a plan for what replaces them,” Miller said, emphasizing the need for Palestinian-led governance and realistic security plans. He reiterated Washington’s stance against Israel reoccupying Gaza. Miller also mentioned that there is still no agreement with Israel on this matter, even though Israel has indicated it is nearing the end of major combat operations in Rafah.
“We do not want to see them reoccupy Gaza, which is why we continue to push for an alternative to that,” Miller added.
In addition to meeting Blinken, Gallant met with Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, senior advisers to U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as CIA Director Bill Burns. He is scheduled to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.
The conflict began when Palestinian Hamas militants crossed the border and attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. The Israeli retaliatory offensive has caused nearly 37,600 fatalities, according to Palestinian health authorities, and has left Gaza in devastation.
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