L. Austin will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jr. and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This is his third visit to Israel as the head of the Pentagon.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel the day before.
The US defense secretary said on Thursday that Washington had not set any conditions on how Israel should use the weapons it provides to fight Hamas.
“We didn’t put any conditions on providing this equipment. This is a professional army led by a professional command, and we expect and hope that they will do the right thing in their campaign,” L. Austin said after the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, invading its territory and launching rocket attacks. Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas militants killed 1.2 thousand people in Israel. people, mostly civilians, and took about 150 hostages. Israeli strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip claimed more than 1,500 lives. people’s lives.
Mr Austin said the US had seen no early warning signs that the Islamist group would launch a bloody attack.
US Secretary of State A. Blinken, who visited Israel earlier on Thursday, promised that the United States will always support the Jewish state.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip and has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Hamas is supported by Iran, financing the acquisition of weapons, supplying them and providing military training. Hamas has a political office in Qatar, where some of its leaders are based.
2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip. people, but Israel, with the help of Egypt, has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007 – it restricted the import of goods to and from the territory by water, sea or air, as well as the ability of the Palestinians themselves to leave the territory, except for a few tens of thousands of workers.
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#Secretary #Defense #arrived #Israel #solidarity #visit
**Interview with Defense Analyst Sarah Miller on U.S.-Israel Relations Amid Ongoing Conflict**
**Host:** Welcome, Sarah. Thank you for joining us today. We just heard about Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s upcoming visit to Israel. What do you think this visit signifies in the current context?
**Sarah Miller:** Thank you for having me. Secretary Austin’s third visit to Israel as head of the Pentagon underscores the U.S. commitment to its ally during this turbulent time. The ongoing conflict, particularly following the recent Hamas attacks, has necessitated strong diplomacy and support from the U.S. government.
**Host:** Right. And Austin mentioned that there are no conditions on the U.S. weapons provided to Israel. What are the implications of this stance?
**Sarah Miller:** By not imposing conditions, the U.S. is signaling trust in the Israeli military’s capabilities and its leadership. It suggests that the U.S. believes Israel will use the military equipment responsibly. However, this approach can be controversial, especially considering the high civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. It raises questions about accountability and the long-term effects of such support.
**Host:** Speaking of casualties, the numbers are staggering—over 1,500 lives lost in Gaza and significant loss in Israel as well. How do these statistics affect global perceptions of the conflict?
**Sarah Miller:** These numbers have a profound impact on global perception. High casualty figures often lead to increased scrutiny of military actions and can galvanize public opinion against perceived aggressors. In this case, both Hamas and Israel are facing intense scrutiny. The international community is closely watching how the U.S. balances its support for Israel with the humanitarian implications of the conflict.
**Host:** It’s also noteworthy that Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel just before Austin. What does this say about U.S. diplomatic efforts?
**Sarah Miller:** Blinken’s visit, followed by Austin’s, highlights a coordinated approach by the Biden administration to address the crisis. It signals that the U.S. is prioritizing diplomacy alongside military support. Ensuring clear communication between U.S. officials and Israeli leadership is critical, especially as the situation evolves rapidly.
**Host:** Lastly, what can we expect moving forward from this escalation in conflict and U.S. involvement?
**Sarah Miller:** While the immediate future looks challenging, especially with hostages being held and ongoing violence, we can expect continued U.S. diplomatic engagement. The U.S. may also attempt to facilitate a ceasefire while balancing its support for Israel. The unfolding situation will likely require careful navigation to minimize further loss of life and ultimately to seek a lasting resolution.
**Host:** Thank you, Sarah, for your insightful analysis. We appreciate your time and expertise on this critical issue.
**Sarah Miller:** Thank you for having me.