STORY: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant arrived at the U.S. State Department for talks with top American diplomat Antony Blinken on Monday.
The visit comes amid U.S. calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the development of a realistic post-war plan, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
"We have been quite consistent that for there to be an enduring defeat of Hamas, there needs to be a plan for what replaces them and what replaces them needs to be Palestinian-led governance. It needs to be realistic security plans. It needs to be realistic reconstruction plans. And that's what we continue to work towards with our partners in the region. And as we continue to push the government of Israel to properly consider."
Washington has warned Israel that the absence of such a plan could trigger lawlessness and chaos as well as a comeback by Hamas in the enclave.
After the meeting, Gallant didn't address this point with reporters but did say the alliance with the United States is "extremely important" to the future of Israel.
He also met with advisors to President Joe Biden and CIA Director Bill Burns Monday in discussions he called "critical" as Israel deals with Gaza and escalating hostilities on Israel's border with Lebanon, where exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have stoked fears of wider conflict.
He's set to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.
