US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin would receive his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant next week, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.
Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder stated that Austin discussed with Gallant negotiations on the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip earlier that day.
“Secretary Austin raised the need to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah, while reiterating the shared goal of defeating Hamas.”
The two ministers also discussed the need to step up efforts to protect civilians and urgently increase the humanitarian aid to Gaza through land crossings.
Secretary Austin looks forward to hosting Minister Gallant at the Pentagon next week for a bilateral meeting to continue these conversations.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan claimed on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to send a team to the United States to discuss Israel’s plan to target Rafah “without a major ground invasion.”
