2024-02-11 02:01:45
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant discussed by telephone with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin the progress of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip and “precision operations” in additional areas of the Palestinian enclave.
As Day.Az reports with reference to TASS, this was reported by the press service of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
“On Friday night, Defense Minister Yoav Galant had a conversation with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin. Galant confirmed the determination of the defense department [Израиля] achieve the goals of the war [в секторе Газа], including the return of hostages and the destruction of Hamas’ military and administrative capabilities. In this regard, he addressed the defense department’s planning process for precise operations in additional areas of the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
Gallant also “briefed Austin on the progress of the war against the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza, detailing ongoing IDF (Israel Defense Forces) operations above and below ground, with the main focus on the southern areas of the Strip,” the press service added.
The situation in the Middle East sharply worsened after the infiltration of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, accompanied by the killing of residents of border settlements and the capture of more than 240 hostages, including children, women and the elderly. Radicals called this attack a response to the actions of the Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Israel announced a complete blockade of Gaza and began retaliating against the strip and certain areas of Lebanon and Syria, after which it launched a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave. Clashes also occur in the West Bank.