Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, is scheduled to hold a meeting with national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Washington on Tuesday. This confirmation was provided by a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson announced that Ron Dermer, a trusted ally and confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Tony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan this afternoon.
Netanyahu's Ally Set To Meet Us Officials
Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, looks on as he walks into the Executive Office Building next to the White House in Washington, DC on December 26, 2023. Dermer is in Washington to meet with US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, to discuss matters related to the conflict in Gaza.
According to The Hill, the purpose of this face-to-face consultation is to discuss various issues pertaining to the conflict in Gaza and the safe return of hostages currently being held by Hamas.
The meeting between Dormer and officials from the Biden administration is scheduled to occur on Tuesday. As the administration continues its efforts to urge Netanyahu's government to reduce its bombardment of Gaza, this development has emerged.
In response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters, the Israeli assault has reportedly resulted in a significant loss of life, with estimates from the Gaza Health Ministry suggesting that over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed.
The United Nations has issued a warning, emphasizing the urgent need to permit aid into the territory of Gaza. According to the organization, failure to do so will result in an ongoing risk of starvation, illness, and displacement for the remaining population in the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a public rejection of the notion of a drawdown, despite facing pressure from officials in the United States and Europe. On Monday, Netanyahu stated that the ongoing attack on Gaza is far from reaching its conclusion.
During a visit to Gaza on Monday, he boldly declared, "There is no such thing as stopping, whoever talks about it."
Hamas has managed to release a total of 110 hostages who were taken during the attack on October 7th. Notably, a considerable number of these releases took place during a temporary cease-fire in November, which was skillfully negotiated by the United States.
According to Israeli officials, Hamas is reported to still be holding a total of 129 hostages, with 21 of them believed to be Israeli nationals who are unfortunately presumed deceased. In a statement released in mid-December, the Israeli military confirmed the unfortunate incident in which three hostages were accidentally shot and killed by Israeli military soldiers.
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US, Israel to Discuss Gaza Conflict
NSC spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said the upcoming leaders' meetings will primarily focus on consultations regarding various aspects of the conflict in Gaza and the return of hostages held by Hamas.
In the midst of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, Tuesday's meetings are taking place. The campaign has caused significant destruction in the Strip, despite consistent appeals from the United States and other Western allies for Israel to take greater measures in order to minimize civilian casualties during the operations.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, under the control of Hamas, approximately 20,000 individuals have been reported as deceased since the initiation of the war following Hamas's attack on October 7. However, it is important to note that this figure does not provide a breakdown between civilian and combatant casualties.
Throughout much of the conflict, the United States has consistently upheld Israel's right to self-defense. However, the White House's unwavering support for Israel, despite the mounting death toll, has drawn heightened criticism for the Biden administration both at home and abroad.
The Biden administration has made efforts to urge Israel to halt its high-intensity operations. Instead, they are advocating for a shift towards a greater focus on special forces conducting specific and targeted missions against Hamas leaders.
According to Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Netanyahu, there is a mutual attentiveness between Washington and their government. Regev expressed his belief that both parties carefully listen to each other's statements.
Moreover, Netanyahu outlined three key objectives for the ongoing conflict. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's primary goals include the removal of Hamas from power in Gaza, the demilitarization of the US-designated terrorist group, and the deradicalization of Palestinians.
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