Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon today to discuss efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, to surge more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to stand together against Iranian and Iranian-supported attacks against Israel and destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East.
Secretary Austin underscored the ironclad U.S. commitment to Israel, as evidenced in part by the extraordinary defense of Israel against an unprecedented Iranian attack on April 13 and by the more than $14 billion in assistance in the Bipartisan National Security Supplemental that President Biden signed on April 24.
Secretary Austin stressed that Lebanese Hizballah's provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war that neither of them wants. Such a war would be catastrophic for Lebanon, and it would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians.
Secretary Austin reiterated the high priority of securing the safe release of all hostages held captive by Hamas, including American citizens. He commended Minister Gallant for Israel's support for the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage-release proposal that it has offered, which President Biden has outlined and the United Nations Security Council has endorsed. They agreed that the onus is on Hamas to accept this deal.
Secretary Austin stressed that principled diplomacy is the only way to prevent any further escalation of tensions in the region.
Secretary Austin urged Minister Gallant to double down on efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian-aid workers in Gaza. Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant discussed ways to improve the distribution of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in dire need and to strengthen the deconfliction
mechanisms for humanitarian workers.
