Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with his US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin overnight, his office says in a summary of the call.
The two discussed the importance of US leadership in addressing Iranian threats and regional aggression, as well as developments in Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.
Gallant detailed the IDF’s ongoing operations, particularly in the southern part of the Strip, and shared information about the troop’s recent findings including “terror tunnels where hostages had been held, weapon stockpiles, and funds transferred from Iran directly to Hamas leadership,” his office says.
He thanked Austin for his leadership and the US commitment to Israel’s security and reiterated that Israel’s goals are to topple Hamas, end the terror group’s 16-year rule of the Palestinian enclave, and return the remaining 136 hostages still in Gaza to Israel, his office adds.
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, February 9, 2024
