Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced that he is traveling today, Sunday, to Washington for "an important political visit," indicating that he will hold meetings regarding "Israel's security." According to a statement issued by Galant's office earlier, this is his first official visit to Washington since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip, based on an invitation from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The statement noted that Galant will meet with the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon to engage in detailed discussions on security issues, including developments in the war on Gaza, boosting forces, areas of bilateral military cooperation, and humanitarian issues.
According to a report by Haaretz today, "the U.S. administration has expressed anger towards Israel concerning humanitarian aid, prompting Israel to promise, ten days ago, to facilitate the entry of substantial amounts of aid to the Gaza Strip, although it has not yet fulfilled this commitment."
Despite increasing demands in the United States from Democratic officials and a wide segment of voters to impose restrictions on arms supplies to Israel, "administration officials have clarified that such restrictions are not on the table. However, concerns in Israel are greater than before, and Galant will seek commitments for the continuation of security assistance regardless of political disputes between the two countries, and for this assistance to expand in the event of escalated fighting on the Lebanese front."
