The Israel-Hamas war is still the top priority of U.S. President Joe Biden, as announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Austin shared his statements at a press conference during his 4th visit to Israel. The top American defense official said that it was good to see his Israeli counterpart in person.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at the Pentagon on November 22, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Austin gave opening remarks to participating members including foreign ministers and secretary of states.
Lloyd Austin also shared how he and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant have been talking daily via phone calls to discuss the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Here are the latest comments of the U.S. defense secretary about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israel-Hamas War Still Joe Biden's Top Priority
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the Israel-Hamas war remains the top priority of the United States and Joe Biden. He said that the support of the U.S. for Israel's security during the war is still unshakable.
"I know that Israel has been profoundly changed from where you were on October 6. So I'm here with a clear message: American support for Israel's security is unshakable. Israel is not alone," said the American official via The Guardian.
He added that Israel can defend itself against Hamas terrorists and had every right to do so. When Austin described the Palestinian militant group, he said that it is a "fanatical terrorist group" whose only purpose is to eradicate the Jewish state by murdering Jews.
But, although Austin stated that the U.S. will completely support Israel, he explained that the Middle Eastern nation and the U.S. both have a moral duty to ensure the safety of Gazan civilians and Israeli people who are just caught up in the war between the Israeli government and Hamas.
He explained that ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip is both a strategic imperative and a moral duty.
"Hamas is still holding hostages, including American citizens. Hamas embeds itself and hides itself behind innocent Palestinian civilians. Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people," said the U.S. defense secretary.
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US Urges Israel to Scale Back Its Attacks in Gaza
Israeli soldiers make the heart sign with their fingers as they sit in an in an armored vehicle rolling along the border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel on October 13, 2023, as battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continue for the seveth consecutive day.
Since the U.S. prioritizes the safety of civilians caught up in the Middle Eastern war, the U.S. government is urging Israel to scale back its ground and air attacks in the Gaza Strip.
According to Yahoo News, the United States has strategies that could encourage the Israeli government to adjust its tactics against Hamas terrorists.
One of these measures is implementing conditions for the financial assistance it gives Israel. Another strategy that the U.S. can rely on is using political pressure.
As of writing, Israel not only needs the financial and military aid of the U.S., but also America's support to shield itself from international pressure coming from the UN.
However, these efficiency of these strategies will still depend on the decision of Israel in the ongoing war against Hamas.
Related Article: Biden Urges Israel to End Extensive Ground Campaign in Gaza Against Hamas
