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Saturday, October 19, 2024
Pentagon says Austin told Gallant that he’s relieved PM safe, discussed US force posture
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reviewing posture adjustments of United States forces, including the recent deployment of an anti-missile system to reinforce Israel’s defenses against regional threats, the Pentagon says in a statement.
Austin also told his Israeli counterpart that he was relieved that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was safe after a drone attack reportedly targeted his home in Caesarea, the Pentagon says.
A readout on the call from Gallant’s office says he updated Austin about recent Israeli operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Beirut.
“In discussing these issues, Minister Gallant reiterated the defense establishment’s commitment to mitigating harm to both Lebanese civilians and to UNIFIL troops,” the statement says.
The statement adds that the two “discussed ongoing cooperation and defensive posture of both Israeli and US capabilities in the face of threats posed by Iran and its proxies in Yemen, Syria and Iraq,” along with Israel’s killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.
“Minister Gallant raised ongoing IDF operations in Gaza and reiterated his commitment to ensuring the return of 101 hostages still held by Hamas.”
The Times of Israel Community.