In a tense phone call Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III criticized Israeli Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant over Israel's deadly attack on a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza earlier this week.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a statement Wednesday night, “Secretary Austin is concerned about the Israeli attack on the World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid convoy that killed seven aid workers, including Americans. “I expressed my anger at this,” he said. phone.
“Secretary Austin emphasized the need to take immediate concrete steps to protect aid workers and Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip following repeated failures to coordinate with foreign aid agencies,” General Rider said. Stated.
Mr. Austin's comments echoed President Biden's strong words that he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the killings of aid workers, but still echoed earlier calls with Mr. Gallant summarized by the Pentagon. signaled a significant change in tone from the US Secretary of State. . The two men, both former army generals, have met more than 40 times since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
Despite the harsh words, it appears that Mr. Austin has threatened to stop the flow of US munitions or impose conditions on US arms sales to Israel, as many Congressional Democrats now claim. There wasn't. In that sense, Mr. Austin has nothing to lose by being harsh.
The secretary's anger over an Israeli airstrike on a humanitarian aid convoy comes a week after the two men sparred in closed-door meetings in Washington over plans for an Israeli invasion of the southern city of Rafah, and U.S. officials announced a major It warns that military action could lead to catastrophe.
At that meeting on March 26, Mr. Gallant vowed to destroy Hamas, secure the release of Israelis taken hostage in the October 7 attack, and “ensure Israel's military superiority and capabilities.” He emphasized that this is an urgent need. Mr. Austin highlighted the dire consequences that a large-scale combat operation in Rafah would have on Palestinian civilians.
Gen. Rider said that in Wednesday's phone call, Mr. Austin urged Mr. Gallant to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the convoy attack, share its conclusions publicly and hold those responsible accountable. Stated. According to White House officials.
“This tragedy has reinforced expressed concerns about the possibility of Israeli military operations in Rafah, with particular focus on the evacuation of Palestinian civilians and the need to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid,” he said. Stated.
Mr. Austin stressed to Mr. Gallant that Israeli attacks on humanitarian aid convoys are making it more difficult to get desperately needed aid to Gaza, and the Secretary said he would continue to work on several future missions to avoid starvation. General Rider said there was a need for increased aid, especially in northern Gaza. He said.
