Israeli Defense Minister Tells US That War ‘Will Take More Than a Few Months’
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told visiting US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday that the military operation against Hamas was expected to extend beyond the next few months.
Previous reports indicated that Sullivan and other senior US officials had quietly urged Israel to conclude the “high-intensity” stage of the war by the beginning of the new year.
Addressing the current timeline, Gallant stated, “Hamas is a terrorist organization that built itself over a decade to fight Israel, establishing infrastructure both underground and above ground. It is not easy to dismantle them. It will take a significant period—more than several months, but we will prevail, and we will eliminate them.”
During the meeting, Gallant also expressed the Israeli government’s appreciation for the Biden Administration’s ongoing economic, military, and diplomatic support for Israel since October 7 and throughout its conflict with the Gaza-based terrorist organization.
“Thank you for coming to Israel during this period of war—we appreciate it very much,” Gallant conveyed to Sullivan.
He emphasized, “The United States and Israel share common interests, common values, and in this war, we also share common goals. This is crucial for the State of Israel and essential for the rest of the region, particularly the Middle East.”
Gallant and Sullivan’s meeting in Israel coincides with heightened tension between Washington and Jerusalem following President Joe Biden’s recent public comments about Israel’s wartime actions. President Biden, during a campaign fundraising event, expressed concern that Israel may be losing global support due to its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza.
While the White House has generally maintained strong support for Israel, the president emphasized the need for a change in Israel’s approach, viewing the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as increasingly unreliable due to its members’ opposition to a two-state solution.
On Thursday, Sullivan also met with Netanyahu and the rest of Israel’s War Cabinet in Tel Aviv. Discussions included the operational status of the war, humanitarian aid to Gaza, concerns about the Houthis in the Red Sea, and strategies to counter Hizbullah’s aggression on the northern border.
Netanyahu thanked Sullivan for “the supply of munitions for the IDF, in blocking the attempts at the UN to stop the fighting and in the assistance in returning our hostages.” He also reiterated that “the return of our hostages is a main goal. We are not relenting in our efforts even for a moment, even at this moment.”
Before arriving in Israel, Sullivan, one of President Biden’s trusted aides, held a bilateral discussion with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto Saudi leader. The meeting focused on maintaining regional stability, opposing Iranian proxy attacks, and restarting peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
