Austin, Gallant discuss ‘stabilization phase’ to follow current stage of Gaza war – Pentagon

In their latest phone call earlier today, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin “discussed Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and preparations for the stabilization phase that will follow major combat operations,” the Pentagon says in a readout.

This appears to be the first time that the Biden administration has used the term “stabilization phase,” as it gradually intensifies its rhetoric aimed at coaxing Israel to wind down the current high-intensity phase in fighting.

Israel has offered little indication that it plans to do so imminently, with Gallant saying recently that the high-intensity fighting would continue for months more.

Austin “reiterated US resolve to ensure Hamas can no longer threaten Israel’s security and underscored the importance of protecting Gaza’s civilians and accelerating humanitarian assistance,” the US readout adds.

The two “also discussed threats to regional security, including Hezbollah’s destabilizing activities in southern Lebanon, Iran-aligned militia attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria and Houthi assaults against international commerce in the Red Sea,” the readout says.