Gallant visits Washington to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas and the threat posed by Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington on Sunday to discuss the next steps in the Gaza conflict and growing tensions on the Lebanese border, where exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have raised fears of a wider conflict.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel since the Gaza war began more than eight months ago. The group insists it will continue until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Gallant said “we are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon and other areas,” before heading to Washington to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In early June, Hezbollah launched its largest attack yet on Israeli cities and military sites using rockets and drones after an Israeli strike killed a senior Hezbollah commander. US envoy Amos Hochstein visited Israel and Lebanon last week to try to ease tensions amid increasing cross-border shelling and tougher rhetoric.

Some Israeli officials have linked their ongoing operations against Hamas in Rafah, a town bordering Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in the Gaza Strip, to possible actions in Lebanon. Gallant seemed to confirm this connection when he stated: “The transition to Phase C in Gaza is of great importance. I will discuss this transition with US officials.”

A reduction in operations in Gaza could free up Israeli forces to confront Hezbollah if Israel decides to launch a ground offensive or intensify air strikes. The final phase of Israel’s Gaza offensive focuses on stabilizing the area after the defeat of Hamas and beginning reconstruction.

Gallant, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, is calling for a clear post-war plan for Gaza that does not leave Israel in control. This view is shared by the White House. Netanyahu is balancing the demands of the defense establishment and the far-right coalition partners who oppose any strategy that could lead to a Palestinian state.

Yuli Edelstein, chairman of Israel’s parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and defense, pointed out the complexity of fighting Hezbollah now or later. He also criticized Netanyahu’s recent video in which he accused the Biden administration of withholding weapons from Israel, which led to tensions with the White House.