Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 6, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 6, 2024
US defense chief speaks with Gallant, voices condolences for victims of Hamas barrage
File: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (L) and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant give a joint press conference in Tel Aviv on December 18, 2023. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to discuss “the ongoing hostage negotiations, humanitarian assistance efforts, and Rafah,” the Pentagon says.
Austin “expressed his condolences for the IDF soldiers killed and wounded by a rocket and mortar attack launched by Hamas out of Rafah,” the statement says.
He is also said to have reiterated Washington’s commitment to “supporting Israel’s defense,” his own commitment to returning all the hostages from Gaza, and the US demand for any offensive to Rafah to include a “credible” plan to protect civilians and preserve the flow of humanitarian aid.
There is no immediate Israeli readout of the call.
