Today, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan convened the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group (SCG) to consult on a series of issues in the wake of Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel. The Israeli side was led by Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi. The discussion began in a small group format to discuss the Iran attack and the collective efforts to further enhance Israel’s defense through advanced capabilities as well as cooperation with a broad coalition of military partners. Mr. Sullivan also briefed the Israeli side on new sanctions and other measures that began today, in coordination with Congress and G7 capitals, following on the President’s call with G7 leaders held the morning after Iran’s attack.

The two sides then broadened to include interagency delegations to discuss Rafah. The two sides agreed on the shared objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah. U.S. participants expressed concerns with various courses of action in Rafah, and Israeli participants agreed to take these concerns into account and to have further follow up discussions between experts, overseen by the SCG. Participants will meet again soon. 

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