The U.S. Defense Secretary visited Israel, saying that the war will transition from ＂large-scale fighting to low-intensity conflict.＂
On December 18th, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel, US Secretary of Defense Austin arrived in Israel for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister galante. Pengpai image map
According to the Reference News, Reuters reported on December 18th, officials said that US Secretary of Defense lloyd austin arrived in Israel for talks on December 18th, local time. It is expected that the focus of the talks will be Israel’s final end of the high-intensity war in Gaza and its transition to a more limited and precise conflict.
Austin said that during the meeting, he had discussed with Israeli Defense Minister galante how to reduce the harm to civilians, and mentioned that the war would transition from "large-scale fighting to low-intensity conflict". "Any campaign will have several stages, and we will continue to urge (Israel) to protect civilians during the conflict and increase humanitarian assistance into Gaza."
On December 18th, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel, US Secretary of Defense Austin arrived in Israel for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister galante. Pengpai image map
According to previous reports, a senior U.S. Defense Department official accompanying Austin said that Austin discussed Israel’s transition plan to the next stage of the war in his talks with senior leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister galante. The official said: "The high-intensity ground operations and air strikes you have seen will not last forever. This is just one stage of the war. "
In addition, it is also reported that US officials expect that Israel may gradually adopt a low-intensity and localized war strategy before January next year, including targeting specific militants and leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). A senior U.S. Department of Defense official said on the 17th that Israeli security agencies are evaluating the necessary conditions for entering the next phase of the conflict, and Austin hopes to listen to Israel’s "clear explanation" of these conditions.
On December 18th, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel, US Secretary of Defense Austin arrived in Israel for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister galante. Pengpai image map
Some analysts said that Austin’s visit can be called "a delicate balancing act". Because Netanyahu’s violent bombing of Gaza has triggered strong global protests and ceasefires, Biden’s government is facing increasing pressure at home and abroad. Although the United States is still providing weapons and diplomatic support to Israel, in recent times, with the increasing casualties, the attitude of the US government towards the Netanyahu government has become more tough. According to previous reports, US President Joe Biden said last week that Israel’s "indiscriminate" bombing would lead to the country’s risk of losing international support.
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