Gantz Continues DC Trip As Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Remains Elusive

At 11:00 ET 16:00 GMT Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before holding separate meetings with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to discuss ceasefire negotiations and the status of Israel's war with Hamas.

• Gantz's schedule follows meetings yesterday with Vice President Kamala Harris, NSA Jake Sullivan, and Middle East envoy Brett McGurk - part of a D.C. trip which, "has become a mini-scandal in Israel," according to Punchbowl News notes. Israeli media outlet Ynet reported that Netanyahu “made it clear to Minister Gantz that the State of Israel only has one prime minister."
• Comes as President Biden's goal for ceasefire agreement before the March 12 start of Ramadan is looking uncertain after talks in Cairostalled again yesterday.
• White House spox John Kirby, addressed Netanyahu's opposition to the Gantz trip yesterday: “A member of the war cabinet from Israel wants to come to the United States... we’re not gonna turn away that sort of opportunity.”
• Gantz's trip also comes amid media speculation that a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday could presage a firmer US line on Israel, although the core message of Harris’ speech has been disputed by analysts.
• Politico notes that Harris’ speech was, "widely touted as her getting tougher on Israel... But it’s clear from either watching or reading her full comments that Hamas was the main target of her Sunday remarks...”