U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon on Tuesday, amid growing tension between the administrations of U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr. Austin is set to speak with his Israeli counterpart about a range of issues stemming from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel and the Israeli military’s response in the Gaza Strip. According to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the discussion will touch on securing the release of hostages taken by the Hamas terrorist group, as well as securing humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population.
