US defense secretary discusses Gaza with Israeli counterpart

The U.S. and Israeli defense chiefs discuss the Gaza situation, focusing on humanitarian aid and hostage release, while CIA chief visits Qatar for cease-fire talks before Ramadan

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the situation in Gaza during a phone call on Thursday, more than five months into Israel’s controversial offensive on the Palestinian enclave.

“The Department of Defense’s humanitarian airdrops to Palestinian civilians in Gaza were among the topics Secretary Austin raised,” according to a statement from the Pentagon.

Austin emphasized the importance of increasing humanitarian aid through all available means and ensuring its secure delivery upon reaching Gaza.

The defense leaders also talked about the urgent need to secure the release of hostages currently held by Hamas following the group’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

During his State of the Union address, U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged the unprecedented toll of Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza. Biden mentioned that the conflict has resulted in over 30,000 Palestinian deaths, surpassing the toll of all previous Gaza wars combined.

CIA chief visits Qatar and Egypt

According to CNN, Bill Burns, the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has reportedly arrived in Qatar for potential cease-fire negotiations before Ramadan.

This visit follows his trip to Egypt on Wednesday. Burns, leading the Biden administration’s negotiation efforts, is not expected to travel to Israel during this Middle East visit.

Cease-fire negotiations in Egypt proved unsuccessful due to the Israel delegation’s refusal to attend unless Hamas released the names of the hostages who were still alive.

Source: Newsroom

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