Hamas leaders must be held accountable for ‘vicious’ execution of hostages, Austin tells Gallant
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke on the phone earlier today.
The pair discussed Israel’s recovery of the remains of six hostages in Gaza murdered by Hamas, including 23-year-old American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Austin “passed along his deepest condolences to the families of all of the slain hostages and he expressed outrage at their vicious, illegal, and immoral execution at the hands of Hamas,” the US readout says.
Austin “affirmed that Hamas leaders must be held accountable for their crimes, and the pair reaffirmed their mutual commitment to swiftly reaching a ceasefire deal to secure the release of all of the hostages,” the Pentagon says.
“Austin also conveyed his condolences for three Israeli police officers killed in an apparent terrorist attack in the West Bank this morning and expressed his concern over rising tensions and increased terrorist activity there this week,” the US readout adds.
