Pentagon Chief Says Hamas Must Be Held Accountable for Hostage Deaths

Austin expressed concerns over rising tensions in Gaza and reaffirmed U.S. commitment to reaching a cease-fire deal that would see the remaining hostages freed.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin takes questions during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington on Feb. 1, 2024 ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Sept. 1 that Hamas leaders must be held accountable for the killing of six hostages in Gaza, who he said had been murdered in a vicious manner by the terrorist group.

Austin held a phone discussion with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sept. 1 following the recovery of the six hostages’ bodies in an underground tunnel in Gaza’s Rafah. One of the hostages was 23-year-old U.S. citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin.