Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to receive updates on the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) campaign to ensure Hamas will no longer be able to use Gaza to threaten Israel's security, and to underscore his enduring support for Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism. He urged increased efforts to protect civilians in Gaza, increase delivery of humanitarian assistance, and curb extremist settler violence in the West Bank.
The Secretary also expressed concern over the cross-border exchanges between the IDF and Lebanese Hizballah this week that resulted in the deaths of a Lebanese Armed Forces soldier and an Israeli civilian. Finally, the Secretary condemned growing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea, which threatens freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce.
