From the Liveblog of
Monday, December 18, 2023
US defense chiefs arrive in Israel
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown arrive in Tel Aviv.
The two are expected to press Israeli leaders to transition to a new phase of the war in Gaza after weeks of heavy strikes and a ground offensive. American officials have called for targeted operations aimed at killing Hamas leaders, destroying tunnels and rescuing hostages.
Austin says that in talks with Israeli leaders, he will “reiterate America’s ironclad commitment to Israel, discuss IDF ops to dismantle Hamas, and underscore the need to protect civilians from harm and enable the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
Wheels down in Tel Aviv. I’ll meet w/@yoavgallant, @IsraeliPM & War Cabinet to reiterate America’s ironclad commitment to Israel, discuss IDF ops to dismantle Hamas, & underscore the need to protect civilians from harm & enable the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. pic.twitter.com/hbsO7MLu7K
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 18, 2023
