Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, October 7, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, October 7, 2023
US defense chief Austin speaks with Gallant, reaffirms Pentagon commitment to Israel’s security
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Left: Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a ceremony at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, January 1, 2023; Right: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, November 16, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90; AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant just got off the phone with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin during which the latter “reaffirmed that the [Pentagon’s] commitment to Israel’s security and its absolute right to defend itself from acts of terrorism is unwavering.”
“Secretary Austin has directed his team to ensure that DoD is closely consulting with all of our Allies and partners who share a commitment to peace and oppose terrorism,” the US readout says. “Secretary Austin will continue to consult with Minister Gallant in the coming days and weeks to ensure that Israel has the support it needs.”
