Pentagon chief speaks to Israel after letter on Gaza humanitarian situation

AUKUS Defence Ministers Meeting in London

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday and discussed Israel’s operations in Lebanon and the humanitarian situation in Gaza after a letter earlier this week to Israel from Washington that urged improvement of Gaza’s humanitarian situation.

“The Secretary encouraged the Government of Israel to continue taking steps to address the dire humanitarian situation, noting the recent action by Israel to increase the amount of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza,” the Pentagon said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler)