JAKARTA - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of the need for Israel to immediately develop a postwar plan in the Gaza Strip, as well as ensure tensions with Hezbollah on Israel's northern border do not escalate further.
"He (Blinken) informed the Minister of Gallant of ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza during the post-conflict period and stressed the importance of the work for Israel's security," the State Department said in a statement after the meeting. June 25.
Previously, Washington had repeatedly urged Israel to draw up realistic postwar plans for Gaza, warning the absence of such plans could trigger violations of the law and chaos as well as Hamas' return to Palestinian territory.
Palestine itself previously said peace could be realized if the Israeli occupation ended and the realization of the creation of a Palestinian state.
"He also underlined the importance of avoiding further escalation of conflict and achieving diplomatic resolutions that allow Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes," the State Department added.
Last weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamain Netanyahu said, with the end of the intense fighting phase in Gaza, it would allow them to deploy more troops along the northern border with Lebanon, where tensions with Hezbollah escalated.
Earlier at a press conference, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Uncle Sam's country hoped to make progress in his talks with Defense Minister Gallant, although he said there was still no agreement with Israel on a postwar plan in Gaza, even as Israel almost ended large combat operations in Rafah.
"We are consistent enough that Hamas can be beaten permanently, there needs to be a plan for what replaces them and what replaces them must be in the form of a Palestinian-led government, a realistic security plan is needed," Miller said.
"We don't want to see them reclaim Gaza, which is why we continue to push for alternatives to it," Miller said.
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Apart from Foreign Minister Blinken, Defense Minister Gallant previously met with Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden's top aide, and CIA Director Bill Burns on this visit. He is also scheduled to meet US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.
Separately, Defense Minister Gallant described his visit to Washington, including a meeting with Foreign Minister Blinken, as "important", according to comments released by his office.
"The meeting we held was very important and had an impact on the future of war in Gaza and our ability to achieve war goals, on developments in the northern border, and other areas," said Defense Minister Gallant.
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