Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 16, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 16, 2023
Austin thanks Gallant for restoring drinking water access to Gaza
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, right, is greeted by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Oct. 13, 2023. (AP Photos/Lolita Baldor)
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant just held another phone call with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the ongoing Gaza war.
They have been in touch on a near-daily basis since the October 7 Hamas onslaught.
During their latest call, Gallant and Austin “continued discussions on Israel’s operations to restore security following Hamas brutal October 7 attack,” according to the US readout.
Austin “reiterated the US commitment to continue expediting security assistance and preventing conflict escalation.”
“Austin emphasized civilian safety and thanked [Gallant] for efforts to restore safe drinking water access in Gaza,” the US readout adds.
