During meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant in Washington, American officials provided a detailed explanation about the hundreds of American arms shipments sent to Israel. The European Union also warned about the ongoing “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to the prolonged war that lasted about 9 months.
According to CNN, US officials sought to refute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claims that US President Joe Biden was delaying the delivery of military aid to Israel. The US officials addressed these concerns by reviewing each case individually with experts from the government. They clarified that there were misunderstandings on the part of the Israelis and emphasized that there was ongoing progress in addressing any shortcomings in the process.
In a separate meeting between White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Galant, discussions continued regarding the single shipment of heavy bombs that Biden had temporarily suspended due to concerns about potential casualties. However, other American weapons would still be supplied to Israel as long as the conflict in Gaza and the northern border with Lebanon persisted.
Meanwhile, European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for the implementation of a ceasefire approved by the UN Security Council and urged for the allowance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been under strict blockade by Israel. Borrell emphasized the importance of stopping military action, providing more humanitarian support, and considering a political solution to end the famine and bombing in Gaza.
Additionally, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the “Israel Our Home” party, criticized the management of the war in Gaza by Gallant and Netanyahu, stating that Israeli deterrence had diminished. Lieberman highlighted the lack of a clear plan for the war, leading to frustration among soldiers and officers. He noted that the government was struggling to make decisions and achieve victory in both the southern and northern regions.