US Defense Secretary meets with Israeli leaders amid international pressure on Israel
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on Monday amid growing international pressure on Israel to curb civilian deaths in its devastating military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
Austin reiterated the Biden administration’s stance that U.S. commitment to Israel is “unshakeable,” but also stressed the need to protect civilians in Gaza and provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced population.
“The United States and Israel have never been more determined and aligned in our shared values, our shared interests and our shared goals,” Gallant said in a statement following the meeting.
The meeting came following a series of developments in the region, including continued rocket attacks against Israeli cities from Lebanon, an increase in the death toll of Palestinians, and the discovery of a cache of guns and suitcases with more than $1.3 million in the northern Gaza home of a senior Hamas official.
Amid the escalating tensions, Hamas has urged the UN to protect hospitals in Gaza, accusing Israel of targeting medical facilities and committing “horrific crimes against civilians and the medical sector.”
Additionally, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately starving Palestinian civilians and blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid.
On the other hand, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan held a press briefing in Beirut, holding a video showing Hamas fighters targeting Israeli troops and calling for the “sands of Gaza to swallow the Israeli invaders.” Foreign leaders have also been speaking out against the conflict, with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom calling for a “sustainable” cease-fire.
Efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas have also been ongoing, with a meeting in Warsaw involving the CIA Director, Mossad intelligence agency head, and the prime minister of Qatar, aimed at obtaining freedom for the remaining hostages.
As the situation continues to unfold, the world waits to see whether international pressure will lead to a resolution to the conflict and bring about an end to the suffering of civilians in the region.