Def Min-US To Supply Munitions To IDF In Coming Days

Reuters reporting comments from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant following talks with US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk. Gallant says that he discussed the 'progress achieved regarding an agreement for the release of hostages in Gaza' with the White House envoy. They also discussed the delivery of 'critical munition' to Israel, which according to Gallant, McGurk said would be sent in the coming days. An official confirmedon 10 July that the US would resume sending 500lb bombs, but not 2,000lb ordnance due to concerns about their use in built-up areas.

• The confirmation of new munitions supplies comes at a pivotal time with regards to the situation in Gaza and the broader region.
  • In recent days, the IDF have increased their aeiral bombardment of north and central Gaza, as well as dropping leaflets on Gaza City instructing civilians there to leave the city and head south in anticipation of a broader IDF operation.
  • Negotiations on a hostages-for-ceasefire deal ongoing in Cairo and Doha are seen to be closer to agreement than at any other point to date.
• The prospect of escalation on the Israeli-Lebanese border into an all out conflict between Hezbollah and Israel remains present. On 10 July, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah indicated that a Gaza ceasefire would see Hezbollah halt operations on the border, making any deal critical for avoiding a conflict that would carry a much greater risk of regional conflagration than the Gaza crisis.