U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 24) emphasized to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant the importance of Israel swiftly developing a robust and realistic plan for the governance of Gaza for when the war is over, the U.S. State Department said.

Washington

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the U.S. State Department. The visit underscores U.S. calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and emphasizes the need for Israel to develop a robust post-war governance plan for Gaza. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the necessity of a Palestinian-led governance system, realistic security measures, and reconstruction efforts to ensure Hamas does not return.

Washington has cautioned Israel that the absence of such a plan could lead to chaos, lawlessness, and a potential resurgence of Hamas in Gaza. After the meeting, Gallant did not directly address these concerns but reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance. He also met with President Joe Biden's advisers and CIA Director Bill Burns to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and increasing hostilities on Israel's Lebanon border. Further talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are also scheduled.



Blinken urges Israel's Gallant to make post-war plan

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant arrived at the U.S. State Department for talks with top American diplomat Antony Blinken on Monday. The visit comes amid U.S. calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the development of a realistic post-war plan, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. We have been quite consistent that for there to be an enduring defeat of Hamas there needs to be a plan for what replaces them and what replaces them needs to be Palestinian-led governance, it needs to be realistic security plans, it needs to be realistic reconstruction plans and that's what we continue to work towards with our Arab partners in the region and as we continue to push the government of Israel to properly consider. Washington has warned Israel that the absence of such a plan could trigger lawlessness and chaos as well as a comeback by Hamas in the enclave. After the meeting Galant didn't address this point with reporters but did say the alliance with the United States is extremely important to the future of Israel. He also met with advisers to President Joe Biden as well as CIA Director Bill Burns Monday in discussions he called critical as Israel deals with Gaza and escalating hostilities on Israel's border with Lebanon where exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have stoked fears of wider conflict. He said to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.

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Tehran

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Paris

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U.S. Presidential Election

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London

Scientists discover why some never had COVID-19

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Mascot

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Jerusalem

Israeli forces push deeper into southern, northern Gaza

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Brussels

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Idaho

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Julian Assange freed

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Sucre

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Yekaterinburg

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Hundreds gather to show support for Julian Assange's release

Julian Assange is free and back on home soil in Australia after a 14-year battle. It is unknown if he will return to WikiLeaks; his wife Stella Assange says it will take time for him to heal from the ordeal and come to terms with his freedom. The Prime Minister was on the phone with him as soon as he landed.

Julian Assange lands in Australia, speaks to PM

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walked free from a court on the U.S. Pacific island territory of Saipan after pleading guilty to violating U.S. espionage law in a deal that allowed him to head straight home to Australia.

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Israel-Gaza War