Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant kicked off his visit to the US by meeting leaders of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and top Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Al Jazeera reports.

Gallant, in a series of posts on X, said he held discussions with AIPAC on strengthening the US-Israel alliance and spoke with Graham “about the importance of ongoing US support as we work to bring the hostages home, continue dismantling Hamas capabilities and defend our northern border against Hezbollah”.

The Israeli minister is in Washington, DC to discuss the next phase of the Gaza offensive and escalating hostilities on the border with Lebanon. He is expected to meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin as well as Secretary of State Antony Blinken.