Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in a conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to address the status of the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The discussion highlighted the positive development of a group of hostages being released recently.
Acknowledging the crucial roles played by the governments of Israel, Qatar, and Egypt, Secretary Austin praised the agreement reached, emphasizing the importance of increasing humanitarian aid and fuel deliveries to civilians in Gaza.
He stressed the necessity of expanding humanitarian aid, ensuring the establishment of safe areas for aid distribution across Gaza, requiring coordination with the United Nations and international organizations.
Reaffirming the unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism, Secretary Austin received updates on the operational pause of the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza during the hostage release. Shifting focus to the north, he expressed US interest in preventing the Gaza conflict from spreading into Lebanon.
Secretary Austin condemned ongoing cross-border attacks from Lebanon into Israel and voiced support for the safe return of Israeli civilians to their homes in the northern region.
Lastly, Secretary Austin provided updates on U.S. efforts to safeguard its forces and interests throughout the Middle East.
