Northern Front – Gallant to meet Austin during upcoming US visit amid growing concerns

By the Palestine Chronicle team

Austin praised Gallant for the recent rescue of four Israeli captives from Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians and injured more than 700.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will travel to the United States “soon” to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to the Pentagon, although the exact date has not yet been set, the agency reported Saturday Anadolu.

“During his June 11 call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, @SecDef invited him to visit the Pentagon to further discuss ongoing security developments in the Middle East. Minister Gallant has accepted the invitation and will be traveling to the United States soon (date/time to be determined),” spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said on X.

Defense chiefs reportedly discussed efforts to defuse tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border “following increased aggression by Lebanese Hezbollah,” according to a statement.

During his June 11 call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, @SecDef invited him to visit the Pentagon to discuss in more detail ongoing security developments in the Middle East. Minister Gallant has accepted the invitation and will soon travel to the United States (date/time to be determined).

– Major General Patrick Ryder (@PentagonPresSec) June 15, 2024

Austin reportedly praised Gallant for the recent rescue of four Israeli captives from Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians and injured more than 700.

Asked about Palestinian civilians killed in the operation, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Thursday that the United States was “deeply concerned” by reports of civilian casualties.

“This is something we will continue to talk to the Israelis about. It’s something that concerns us,” Singh told reporters, emphasizing that she had nothing further to add beyond reading out the phone call.

Growing concerns

US President Joe Biden’s administration is increasingly concerned that Israel could drag the United States into a war in Lebanon as Tel Aviv continues to escalate tensions on its northern border and step up attacks on the movement Lebanese Hezbollah.

According to CBS News, unnamed U.S. officials have indicated that the Biden administration views Israel’s escalating military strikes on southern Lebanon as a potential precursor to a full-scale invasion of the country and subsequent war.

Such a development, the officials noted, would require U.S. intervention to help Israel win the conflict.

Some officials have also suggested that the war could be unintentional, with Hezbollah potentially responding to intensifying Israeli strikes in a way that would inevitably lead to more direct conflict.

250 days of battle – Hezbollah reveals results of ongoing war with Israel

The growing concerns among Biden administration officials come after months of fears that the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip could evolve into a broader regional conflict, possibly involving outside powers like the United States in a military capacity .

Following Israel’s assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander this week – believed to be the highest-ranking officer killed since recent hostilities began – as well as increased strikes on the border region, the United States is beginning to see these fears materialize.

Washington is apparently pinning its hopes on a ceasefire agreement, which Israel has repeatedly avoided.

“The most important thing about the release of the hostages and the ceasefire agreement that is on the table now is that if it is concluded, it can have an impact in the north (of Israel “So this is an opportunity for us to be able to bring this conflict to a complete conclusion,” a senior US official was quoted as saying.

“There must be an agreement that allows Israelis to return home to the North with security guarantees,” he added.

Genocide in progress

Currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide against the Palestinians, Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since October 7.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 37,337 Palestinians have been killed and 85,299 injured in the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza since October 7.

Additionally, at least 11,000 people are missing, presumed dead under the rubble of their homes across the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian and international organizations say the majority of those killed and injured are women and children.

Israeli air and artillery strikes on Eid Al-Adha – Gaza genocide continues

The Israeli war has led to acute famine, mainly in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinians, mostly children.

Israeli aggression has also led to the forced displacement of nearly two million people from across the Gaza Strip, with the vast majority of those displaced forced to take refuge in the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt – in what became the largest city in Palestine. Mass exodus since the Nakba of 1948.

Israel says 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the Al-Aqsa flooding operation on October 7. Israeli media published reports suggesting that many Israelis were killed that day by “friendly fire.”

(PC, MEMO, Anadolu)