Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday to ask for more American weapons and equipment to support Israel's war in Gaza. This was reported by CNN with reference to American officials, UNN reports.
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The publication notes that the sale of American weapons to the country is under scrutiny by lawmakers and critics of President Joe Biden's continued support for Israel.
Gallant's meeting with Austin will be his first visit to the Pentagon as Israel's defense minister and follows his talks on Monday with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, where arms sales were likely also discussed.
The meetings come as relations between the United States and Israel have reached a new low point. On Monday, a separate Israeli delegation canceled scheduled meetings with U.S. officials to discuss Israel's military plans for southern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled the delegation after the United States failed to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Despite rising tensions, the growing volume of arms sales from the United States remains the focus of the Israeli military, which insists that its American counterparts approve the transfer as soon as possible and make progress on this issue.
Канада припинить експорт зброї до Ізраїлю 20.03.24, 01:22
Before traveling to Washington, Gallant made it clear to Austin that he would bring a list of American weapons and equipment that Israel wants to buy and receive on an expedited basis, including more precision munitions and F-35 and F-15 fighters, officials said.
A senior administration official told CNN that Gallant will be notified of the decision. Sources say that there is no political decision to refuse to provide additional weapons to Israel.
The officials said anonymously that the U.S. administration is concerned that approving a large arms sale too quickly could allow Israel to stockpile equipment for a possible major confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon, something the U.S. has been urging Israel to avoid. Another official said the U.S. understands that Israel needs to replenish its arsenal as the war depletes its stockpile.
On Monday, Gallant said that Israel could be heading for war in the north with Lebanon if the Israeli Defense Forces do not win a decisive victory over Hamas in Gaza.