Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss Israel's operations in Lebanon and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Secretary Austin expressed his condolences for the IDF brigade commander killed in the northern Gaza strip over the weekend and reaffirmed the United States' unwavering and enduring support for Israel, noting the recent deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as an example of the ironclad U.S. commitment to Israel's defense.
Secretary Austin welcomed the movement of humanitarian assistance through the Erez crossing and urged the Government of Israel to take all necessary steps to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, and to work to seize opportunities for the release of hostages and a ceasefire presented by the death of Yahya Sinwar. The Secretary also expressed his deep concern about the reports of strikes against the Lebanese Armed Forces and emphasized the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL forces.
