Pentagon head calls for ‘urgent action’ by Israel to stabilize West Bank

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin uses much of his opening remarks at a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to reiterate Washington’s messaging regarding the ongoing war against Hamas.

“I know that Israel has been profoundly changed from where you were on October 6,” Austin says.

“I’m here with a clear message: America’s support for Israel’s security is unshakable and Israel is not alone.”

“At a time of mourning, a real friend shows up,” Austin says, extending personal condolences to war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot on the loss of his son and nephew who were killed fighting in Gaza.

Austin says that “Hamas committed one of the worst atrocities in the history of modern terrorism” on October 7, when 1,200 people were massacred inside Israel and another 240 were taken hostage. “Hamas should never again be able to project terror from Gaza into the sovereign State of Israel. ”

The defense secretary asserts that the US will work to provide a safer future for Israelis and Palestinians, secure the release of all hostages in Gaza, ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and prevent the war from escalating.

Austin adds that the US will continue to urge Israel to take steps to protect civilians in Gaza and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip.

He also says that he discussed with Israeli leaders “urgent action” they should take to stabilize the West Bank, again calling out attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians, which “must stop and those committing the violence must be held accountable.”

He notes that Iran is “raising tensions in the region” by continuing to back proxies conducting attacks that threaten civilians across the Mideast and risk broader conflict.

“The United States does not seek war and we urgently call on Iran to take steps to de-escalate,” Austin says.