US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Monday (Jun 24) for efforts to avoid further escalation in Lebanon in talks with Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant.
Blinken “underscored the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict and reaching a diplomatic resolution that allows both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Earlier the US State Department said Blinken would also emphasize to Gallant the importance of Israel swiftly developing a robust and realistic plan for the governance of Gaza for when the war is over, the US State Department said ahead of meetings.
Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing that the top US diplomat will also discuss with Gallant, who is visiting Washington this week and meeting with senior US officials, the need to avoid further escalation of the Gaza conflict and to improve humanitarian access.
“We look to make progress on all of these issues,” Miller said.
Gallant came to the State Department moments before his scheduled meeting with Blinken at 1 pm. A small group of protesters outside the building chanted while holding a Palestinian flag as he entered.
He described his meetings in Washington, including the one with Blinken as “critical”, according to comments released by his office.
“The meetings we are holding are extremely important and impactful on the future of the war in Gaza and our ability to achieve the goals of the war, on developments on the northern border, and other areas,” Gallant said.
