US defense chief Lloyd Austin underscored the importance of protecting Gaza's civilians during a telephone call Thursday with his Israeli counterpart, according to the Anadolu Agency.
Austin and Yoav Gallant discussed Israel's military campaign in Gaza, and accelerating humanitarian assistance, according to a statement by the Pentagon.
"Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant also discussed threats to regional security, including Hizballah's destabilizing activities in southern Lebanon, Iran-aligned militia attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and Houthi assaults against international commerce in the Red Sea," it said.
The US recently said Israel should do more to reduce civilian casualties while fighting the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
