The U.S. Says the Dissolution of Israel's War Cabinet Will Not Affect Washington's Positions

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated in a press conference on Monday, June 18, that the dissolution of Israel's war cabinet by its Prime Minister will not impact the U.S. stance and engagement with the country. The exit of Benny Gantz from this cabinet, which led to Benjamin Netanyahu's decision, has not altered U.S. strategic interests or the conditions of Israel's war with Hamas, and according to Miller, the Biden administration's interaction with Netanyahu's government will remain unchanged. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed his ministers that with the dissolution of the war cabinet, he will now consult with a 'limited' group of ministers for 'sensitive decisions.' The U.S. State Department spokesperson also welcomed a 'tactical pause' in Israel's military operations in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. This comes as Netanyahu criticized the announced plans of his country's army on Sunday for a daily tactical pause in operations along one of Gaza's main roads. According to the U.S. State Department spokesperson, trucks carrying humanitarian aid were at the Kerem Shalom crossing, but the distribution of aid was delayed due to military operations and also 'instability and lack of security.' Gita Aryan, a senior reporter for the Persian section of Voice of America, primarily focuses on foreign policy news. She began her journalism career in 1987 with radio and joined Voice of America in 2004.