The U.S. Urges Israel to Plan for 'Transition to the Next Phase' of War; Israel: Gradually

Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, during meetings on Monday with Israeli leaders, urged them to plan for the 'transition to the next phase of operations in Gaza.' Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, in response to this request, stated that his country would gradually transition to the next phase of the war. The Israeli Defense Minister also expressed that he 'expects Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza to return home before those in the south' and added, 'Israel will soon be able to distinguish between different areas of Gaza and in any area where it accomplishes its mission, it can gradually transition to the next phase and begin the process of returning the local population.' Gallant's remarks come as the United States continues to pressure Israel to shift to a more targeted campaign in Gaza to reduce civilian casualties. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Lloyd Austin emphasized in his meeting on Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's war cabinet that Israel must take immediate action to prevent settler violence, that Hezbollah forces must distance themselves from the Israeli border, and that attacks must cease so that Israeli communities can return to their homes. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled from northern Gaza to the south during the war. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported earlier this month that nearly 1.9 million people, over 80% of Gaza's total population, have been displaced since the war began. Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people in a terrorist attack on October 7 and took around 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. Israel has launched air, sea, and ground attacks on Gaza, calling for the eradication of Hamas. The U.S., Canada, the UK, the EU, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israel's advance into Hamas's underground tunnels; rising criticism over civilian casualties. Mahmoud Abbas; ready to reconsider the Palestinian Authority, but within the framework of a two-state solution. Ongoing 'insecurity' in the Red Sea; the U.S. Secretary of Defense announced the formation of an international group for security. Crisis in the Red Sea; BP halts oil transport and oil prices rise. The U.S. Secretary of Defense warned in Israel about Houthi attacks on the Islamic Republic. Verification | The Islamic Republic's support for Hamas and Hezbollah coinciding with accusations against Ukraine. Al-Sisi was re-elected as President of Egypt for the third time with '89.6% of the votes.'