Visiting Pentagon chief says Houthi attacks on ships in Red Sea ‘must stop’

Meeting visiting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares that Israel is fighting “a war of civilization against barbarism” and is committed to “total victory” over Hamas.

“We think that this is not only our war but, in many ways, your war, because you are leading the forces of civilization in the world,” Netanyahu tells Austin as they deliver joint statements. “This is a battle against the Iranian axis, the Iranian axis of terror, which is now threatening to close the maritime strait of Bab el-Mandeb. This threatens the freedom of navigation of the entire world.”

Netanyahu also thanks Austin for the presence of US naval forces in the Red Sea amid repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

“It’s not only our interest. It is the interest, I think, of the entire civilized community,” the premier says.

In his remarks, Austin reiterates that US support for Israel “is unshakable.”

“I know that Israel is a small tight-knit country and I know that all Israelis were touched by the vast evil committed by Hamas,” Austin says. “So I’m here to mourn with you for the innocent souls taken from you on October 7. And I’m also here to stand alongside the families of those still missing in Gaza, including US citizens.”

“America’s commitment to Israel is unwavering and no individual group or state should test our resolve. So in the Red Sea, we’re leading a multinational maritime task force to uphold the bedrock principle of freedom of navigation,” the Pentagon chief adds, saying that Houthi attacks on commercial shipping “must stop.”

Austin also tells Netanyahu that the US will keep sending Israel the equipment “that you need to defend your country,” among them “critical munitions, tactical vehicles and air defense systems.”

“We’ll continue to support Israel’s mission to find and free all of the hostages. And I’m also here to discuss how we can best support Israel on a path to lasting security — and that means tackling urgent needs first,” he says, calling for an increase to the amount of aid flowing into Gaza.

Besides Netanyahu, Austin is meeting the other members of the so-called war cabinet that is managing the campaign against Hamas.