US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met on Monday to discuss the Israeli military's withdrawal from portions of Gaza. Gallant provided details of the IDF's withdrawal and the future of Israel's campaign against Hamas. Austin emphasized the urgent need to increase humanitarian assistance delivery.
The meeting also addressed the recent killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers by Israel on April 1. The majority of the victims were foreign nationals, leading to calls for accountability from affected countries, including the US. Israel acknowledged the incident as a mistake, resulting in the dismissal of two senior officers and the reprimand of a top commander.
Austin reaffirmed unwavering US support for Israel's defense in the face of threats posed by Iran and its proxy network. The discussion also touched on ongoing threats from Iranian aggression, particularly through the Iranian proxy Hezbollah. Both parties discussed coordination in response to potential scenarios involving regional escalation.
Recent tensions in the region have been heightened following a deadly Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, prompting concerns of retaliatory attacks against Israeli and US assets. The US and its allies are closely monitoring the situation and preparing for any potential threats.
