United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin
arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday even as high-ranking US officials continued their
reachout efforts in the region. On arrival in Tel Aviv, Lloyd Austin said US
support for Israel was ironclad.
“Just landed in Tel Aviv. Today, I’ll meet Prime
Minister Netanyahu, Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior leaders to
demonstrate that America’s support for Israel’s security is ironclad and will talk
to them face-to-face about their defence needs. We stand with the people of
Israel” he posted on X.
They will discuss Israel’s operational planning and
security needs in response to the series of attacks launched by Hamas on
October 7.
According to a statement from the US Department of
Defence, Austin’s visit to Israel underscores United States’ unwavering
commitment to support Israel following the recent deadly attacks by Hamas
terrorists.
The Department of Defence press releases quoted a
senior Pentagon official as saying, “This is sending quite a clear signal of
the depth of US commitment to Israel’s security. What is quite clear is the
commitment of this administration and our Cabinet to support the Israeli people
as they work to restore security to their people.”
Soon after the Hamas attacks, US increased its
military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea by deploying aircraft
carrier USS Gerald R Ford Strike Group. It also increased Air Force fighter
presence in the region with the presence of Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II
attack aircraft.
The US Department of Defence statement quoting a
Pentagon official said, “The United States is unequivocal in its support for
the defence of Israel and is sending a warning to any entity that would
consider taking advantage of this conflict and this war to escalate violence.
One word, quite simply, ‘Don’t.’”
In addition to increasing its force presence in the
region, the US has also begun to send military assistance to Israel.
According to the US Department of Defence Secretary,
Austin this week convened the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group
and attended a meeting of NATO Defence ministers in Brussels. At the meeting,
Austin reiterated United States’ commitment to assisting Israel.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had also
met with the Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and followed that up today with
meetings with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King
Abdullah as America looks to minimise aftereffects of the Israel-Hamas
conflict.
Meanwhile, as the Israel-Hamas conflict entered the
seventh day the Israel Defence Forces called for an immediate evacuation of
Gaza.
In a statement, the IDF said all civilians of Gaza
City must move from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection
and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza.
The IDF asked civilians to distance themselves from
Hamas terrorists, who are using them as human shields. The IDF said they will
continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to
avoid harming civilians.
ANI
