US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed Gaza and Lebanon on Friday in his first telephone conversation with his new Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, the Pentagon announced.
The latter was sworn in on the night of Thursday to Friday following the surprise dismissal of his predecessor Yoav Gallant by the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after differences over the conduct of the war in Gaza.
During the call, Lloyd Austin congratulated his Israeli counterpart on his recent appointment, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said in a statement.
He also told him that Washington was committed to an agreement allowing the return home of Lebanese and Israelis displaced by more than a year of violence on the border between the two countries, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas. in Gaza, the spokesperson added.
The head of the Pentagon also mentioned “the need to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza”.
Lloyd Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this month called on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
