Israeli Defense Minister Gallant meets US Senate delegation in Tel Aviv

By Dilara Karatas

ANKARA (AA) – As Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues since the Oct. 7 incursion by Hamas, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday met Majority Leader of the US Senate Charles Schumer, and his delegation in Tel Aviv.

Gallant received Schumer and senators Jacklyn Rosen, Mitt Romney, Mark Kelly and William Cassidy, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.

He informed them about the ongoing conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, and called for maintaining US support for Israel.

Israel's former Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who has joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government, also met the US delegation.

"I met today the bipartisan congressional delegation led by the Senate Majority Leader. I want to convey my deep appreciation to the Majority Leader and the entire delegation for their crucial support during these difficult times," he said on X.

- Israeli foreign minister meets French counterpart

Separately, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met his visiting French counterpart Catherine Colonna.

"I would like to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna who came to Israel to show support," Cohen said on X. "She met with family members of the kidnapped, talked with the wounded, and saw for herself the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas."

- The conflict

Last weekend, Israeli forces launched a sustained military push against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel – a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip.

At least 2,329 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids, while the number of Israelis killed in Hamas’s military operation stands at 1,300.