Today: 24 August 2025
21 March 2024
2 mins read

Israel defense chief to visit US

Israel had until a Sunday deadline to submit written assurances. The State Department will assess by early May whether Israel’s assurances are credible and report to the US Congress...reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is to visit Washington in the coming week, the government said Wednesday, as pressure mounts to call off a planned offensive in Gaza’s Rafah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also announced that a delegation would visit Washington at “the request of US President Joe Biden” to discuss the planned assault, which the United States opposes. During his first visit to Washington since war erupted in response to Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack, Gallant is due to meet Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin — but no date was announced. They will discuss “developments in the war against the Hamas terrorist organization, force build-up, humanitarian issues and areas of bilateral military cooperation,” the defense ministry said.

Netanyahu has said an operation in Rafah is necessary to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, but the presence of 1.5 million civilians in the city, many of them displaced from other parts of Gaza, has sparked fears of mass civilian casualties and a further deepening of the humanitarian crisis in the territory. Biden said Monday he had told Netanyahu to send a team to Washington to discuss how to avoid a full-scale military operation in Rafah. Netanyahu’s office said Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi would hold the requested talks but did not say when the delegation would leave for Washington. Meanwhile, Israel has submitted written assurances as required by the US State Department stating its use of American-supplied weapons are not being used to violate humanitarian laws in Gaza, a US official said on Wednesday.

Israel had until a Sunday deadline to submit written assurances. The State Department will assess by early May whether Israel’s assurances are credible and report to the US Congress. The Israeli military has been fighting Hamas militants in Gaza since Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Palestinian authorities estimate more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. President Joe Biden had last month issued a new US national security memorandum that reminds countries receiving US weapons to stick to international law.

ALSO READ-Trump Says Jews Who Vote For Democrats ‘Hate Their Religion, Israel’

Previous Story

UAE’s Industrial Exports: Dh70B Growth in 3 Years

Next Story

Trump May Pick Gabbard As Running Mate

Latest from -Top News

‘FAMINE’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says living situation in Gaza can be described as “famine”…reports Asian Lite News United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the word “famine” could be used to

Ban Coal Exports to Israel

More than 100 pro-Palestine activists launched protests on Thursday in three major South African cities, calling on the government to ban coal exports to Israel…reports Asian Lite News Pro-Palestine activists are pictured

US sanctions more ICC judges

Washington hits at The Hague with fresh sanctions on four ICC judges and prosecutors, including French and Canadian officials, over probes targeting Israel and US actions abroad….reports Asian Lite News The United

UAE Wows Osaka!

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates its three millionth visitor, blending culture, innovation, and hospitality in an immersive showcase of heritage, sustainability, and forward-looking global vision….reports Asian Lite News The

MBS & Sisi talk ties, Palestine

The two leaders reviewed the historic and strategic relations between Riyadh and Cairo and explored new ways to bolster cooperation…reports Asian Lite News Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister HRH Mohammed bin
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Israel welcomes Azerbaijan opening embassy in Tel Aviv

In June 2021, the media of the two countries reported

Israeli nurses strike over violence against medical staff

The Israeli Nurses Association (INA) has declared a 24-hour strike