Amid rising tensions between the United States and Israel over the Gaza conflict, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to meet with Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on March 26. The meeting comes after Israel cancelled a high-level delegation visit to Washington in protest of a UN Security Council decision calling for an immediate cease-fire, to which the U.S. abstained.
Israel insists on addressing the threat of Hamas, particularly in Rafah, while considering civilian safety. The White House, disappointed by the cancelled visit, aims to discuss alternatives to a ground invasion of Rafah with Israeli officials during the upcoming meeting.