Pentagon Urges Israel to Safeguard Civilians in Gaza During Military Talks

In a significant meeting held at the Pentagon on Tuesday, US defence leaders engaged with their Israeli counterparts to discuss the ongoing military operations in the southern city of Rafah. The senior Pentagon official emphasized the importance of phasing any military action to safeguard civilians and ensure aid delivery. Despite the receptive stance of Israel's Defence Minister, the impact of this dialogue on Israel's plans for Gaza and the escalating US-Israel tensions remains uncertain.

The 90-minute discussion was described as "very productive" and "quite meaty" by a senior defence official. However, questions about whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin linked future US military aid to Israel with improvements in Gaza's humanitarian situation were not directly addressed. Austin reiterated the US's support for Israel's right to self-defence, aligning with international laws.

This meeting, also attended by Gen CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, comes amid heightened tensions due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and political disagreements over ceasefire efforts. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant highlighted the "important cooperation" between Israeli and US defence establishments in maintaining Israel's military superiority in the region.

The US officials advocated for precision targeting against Hamas leaders, a tactic previously effective in Gaza. The specifics of Gallant's response remain undisclosed, yet the conversation was deemed highly positive, reflecting a strong mutual trust and friendship between Austin and Gallant.

Austin proposed alternative strategies to combat Hamas in Rafah while expressing concern over high civilian casualties and insufficient aid deliveries in Gaza. Gallant focused on addressing threats to Israel, including plans to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages.

The backdrop of this dialogue includes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cancellation of a planned visit to Washington in protest against a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, which the US abstained from vetoing. The resolution passed with a 14-0 vote.

US officials are urging Israel to reconsider a ground invasion of Rafah, suggesting alternative methods to counter Hamas that prioritize civilian safety. These recommendations draw from lessons learned from urban combat operations.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 32,000 Palestinian casualties and pushed a third of Gaza's population towards starvation. It was initiated by Hamas's attack on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to around 250 hostages being taken by Hamas-led militants. Currently, about 100 hostages remain captive along with the remains of around 30 others.

The Security Council's resolution for a ceasefire during Ramadan was criticized by Netanyahu, who accused the US of abandoning its principled stance by not conditioning the ceasefire on hostage release. This dispute underscores a growing rift in US-Israel relations amidst the continued military assault on Hamas and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby expressed disappointment over Netanyahu's decision to cancel the delegation's visit. He noted that discussions with Gallant would likely cover aspects intended for dialogue with the Israeli delegation regarding Rafah. Gallant's meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security advisor Jake Sullivan were not seen as substitutes for the cancelled delegation meetings.