Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III spoke today with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. The Secretary told Minister Gallant that he has been a trusted partner and friend as Israel's Minister of Defense, whose expertise, professionalism, and seasoned judgment in addressing pressing security challenges was deeply valued. The Secretary expressed his hope and expectation to have that same good partnership and working relationship with Israel's next Minister of Defense.
The Secretary underscored that the U.S. commitment to Israel's security remains ironclad, as does our support for Israel's right to defend itself against aggression from Iran and its partners and proxies. Secretary Austin told the Minister that the United States has further strengthened our posture in the Middle East to defend U.S. personnel and our allies and partners.
The Secretary emphasized that the United States remains deeply committed to de-escalation in the region through securing a hostage release and ceasefire deal in Gaza and a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows both Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border. The Secretary noted that the United States will also continue to emphasize the importance of taking immediate steps to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
