Yesterday evening, Sunday evening, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz the developments in the war on Gaza, the efforts made to protect Israel’s security, and the negotiations to release the hostages, according to a statement issued by the US State Department.
The US State Department said in a statement that Blinken discussed with Gallant and Gantz achieving an immediate ceasefire and increasing the flow of aid to civilians in Gaza.
In a telephone conversation with Gallant, Blinken stressed the importance of measures aimed at calming and reducing regional tensions.
The US State Department stated that the talks included efforts to prevent the expansion of the war in the Gaza Strip, the need for an immediate ceasefire, and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid.
The State Department statement did not mention details of the discussion of expected US sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, although Gantz said that he spoke extensively with Blinken about this issue.
Gantz explained that imposing US sanctions on an Israeli army unit is a dangerous precedent, stressing that he will work to obstruct the decision.
Gantz stated that he warned the US Secretary of State against the possible decision to impose sanctions on the “Netzah Yehuda” Brigade, considering that this constitutes a “double mistake,” and added that this decision “will harm Israel’s legitimacy in times of war.”
The US administration’s decision to impose sanctions on the “Netzah Yehuda” battalion sparked angry reactions in the Israeli government and the opposition, who described the decision as a “mistake” and claimed that this battalion, in which soldiers belonging to the ultra-Orthodox ultra-nationalist movement serve, is an elite combat unit.
