Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav GallantOn Camera Press BriefingSecretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Opening[...]

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss reports on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Secretary Austin reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself and reiterated that the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) represents the United States' unwavering, enduring, and ironclad commitment to Israel's security. The Secretary also expressed strong support for the immediate release of all remaining hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.