Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has canceled a visit to the Pentagon scheduled for October 9, amid the rapidly escalating war in the Middle East.
The Pentagon has been notified that Mr. Gallant has postponed his trip to Washington, DC, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a briefing on Oct. 8.
"Secretary Gallant is en route to the United States and Secretary Austin is ready to host him at the Pentagon for a bilateral meeting," Singh said.
A reporter asked Ms. Singh about reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked Mr. Gallant not to come to Washington. The spokeswoman said she was aware of this, but did not comment on Israeli politics.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at a press conference in Tel Aviv in October 2023. Photo: Washington Post
Ms Singh noted that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has an “excellent relationship” with his Israeli counterpart, and the two sides have spoken about 80 times since conflict flared up again in the Gaza Strip a year ago.
“The two sides are in regular contact, including face-to-face meetings here and telephone calls,” Ms Singh explained. “That relationship is still there and can be done… anytime, anywhere in the world…”
Asked if there was tension between Mr Austin and Mr Gallant, Ms Singh pushed back. "I don't think there is tension," she said. "You can talk to your friends face to face. You don't always agree on everything, but that doesn't mean there is tension."
Mr Austin also postponed a scheduled trip to Israel last month as Israel stepped up attacks on Lebanon.
Before the situation escalated further, Israeli media widely reported that Netanyahu was preparing to fire Gallant, with whom the Israeli prime minister has had a long-standing strained relationship. Netanyahu fired the defense minister in 2023 but later reversed the decision after intense public pressure.
Fire and smoke rise from an Israeli airstrike in Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon, October 7, 2024. Photo: The Guardian
In an interview with Fox News on October 6, Mr. Gallant said that Israeli forces are considering all options in their response to Iranian attacks on Israel – even the possibility of attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
Gallant’s interview with the US television channel came days after Israel launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon aimed at eliminating Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last weekend, prompting Iran to launch nearly 200 missiles in retaliation.
“At this point, anything is possible,” the Israeli official said. “Israel will respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack in the way we choose, at the time and place we choose.”
Last week, US President Joe Biden told reporters that he would not support an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, but said Israel reserved the right to act "proportionately" against Iran.
On October 5, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she would send $157 million in "additional aid" to Lebanon, which she said was "facing a deteriorating humanitarian situation."
Amid the White House's response to recent IDF airstrikes, Gallant stressed that he hopes the US will continue to cooperate with the Israeli military.
“It is important for us to have discussions about strategic cooperation between our nations and defense cooperation in the face of the threats posed by Iran and its proxies,” Gallant said. “We are strong when we are united, and I want to make sure that is the case.”
Minh Duc (According to Fox News, Al Jazeera)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/xung-dot-voi-lang-gieng-leo-thang-bo-truong-quoc-phong-israel-huy-tham-my-vao-phut-chot-204241009103702143.htm
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