US, Israel Have ‘Moral Imperative’ to Protect Palestinian Civilians: Defense Secretary Austin

Washington ‘will not rest’ until all hostages held by Hamas are returned home, the secretary of defense said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin talks to the media at Ramstein Air Base in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, on March 19, 2024. Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images

Israel and the United States have a “moral imperative” and a “shared strategic interest” in protecting Palestinian civilians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on March 26.

Mr. Austin made the comments during a meeting at the Pentagon with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant in which they explored a range of issues from military operations in Rafah and the worsening humanitarian situation across Gaza to threats to regional security.