U.S. praises ousted Israeli defense chief Minister Yoav Gallant for playing key role in Gaza conflict
The United States has commended Israel’s dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a key intermediary with Washington who was removed from his position by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Throughout the 13-month conflict in Gaza and now in Lebanon, Gallant has served as a primary contact for the U.S., valued by American officials for his professionalism and lack of ideological influence compared to others in Netanyahu’s cabinet.
“Minister Gallant has been an important partner on all matters related to the defense of Israel. As close partners, we will continue to work collaboratively with Israel’s next minister of defense,” a State Department spokesperson said.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Gallant by phone before his dismissal, urging him to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza, as the U.S. considered a deadline to potentially limit certain military assistance to Israel if there was no progress.
President Joe Biden’s relationship with Netanyahu has recently strained, with Gallant’s dismissal announced at a time when the U.S. was electing Biden’s successor.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military campaigns have killed at least 43,391 Palestinians and injured 102,347 since October 7, 2023, when the war broke out. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.
