Israel: Significant progress on arms supply from the United States

2024-06-27 07:56:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israel: Significant progress on arms supply from the United States

Illustrative photo

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said "significant progress" has been made in responding to Israel's concerns about US arms shipments to the Jewish state.

"Obstacles have been eliminated, delicate points have been addressed, to move forward with a series of issues and in particular with military reinforcement and ammunition supply," Mr. Gallant said after meeting with American national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Earlier in the week, Mr Gallant met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The United States is the main supplier of weapons to Israel, but in recent weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complained about the slow pace of shipments over the past few months. White House officials said they were surprised by Mr Netanyahu's comments.

A White House statement said Mr. Sullivan "reaffirmed President Biden's commitment to making sure Israel has everything it needs to defend itself militarily and confront its Iranian-backed adversaries." , Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

US officials expressed concern this week that the exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah along the border with southern Lebanon could escalate into a wider war in the Middle East.

The head of UN humanitarian operations, Martin Griffiths, told reporters in Geneva that the spread of fighting from Gaza to Lebanon would be "probably apocalyptic". Israel's military said last week that plans for an offensive in Lebanon had been "drawn up and approved".

"We are concerned about the potential for more tragedies and casualties," Mr Griffiths said, warning that a war in Lebanon would "draw in Syria and others".

"It will certainly have an impact on Gaza; it will certainly have an impact on the West Bank,” he said. "It is very alarming."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday criticized what he called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's plans to "spread the war" on Gaza wider in the region.

"Israel is now returning to Lebanon and we see that the Western powers behind the scenes are beating Israel's back and even supporting it," Mr. Erdogan told lawmakers.

Mr Netanyahu has said the "intense phase" of fighting against Hamas in Gaza will end soon and Israeli forces will be re-established on the northern border where Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah have exchanged fire for months. Prime Minister Netanyahu has described this change as defensive in nature.

US officials this week voiced their opposition, warning Israel against moves that could escalate the conflict.

Secretary Austin told Secretary Gallant that an increased conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could trigger a regional war. Secretary Austin asked for a diplomatic solution./ VOA