United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin III held a conversation on Wednesday with Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant and their discussion primarily focused on negotiations for the release of hostages, a temporary ceasefire, and aid boosts in Gaza.
Hamas and Iranian proxy groups plan to turn the Islamic holy month of Ramadan into the "second phase of October 7," particularly with violence in Jerusalem, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned on Tuesday.
The commanders briefed the Minister on operational developments in the Gaza strip, with an emphasis on operations conducted in the area of Nasser Hospital.
"The more we deepen our operations, the closer we get to a realistic deal in order to return the hostages," Gallant said. He was speaking at a display of items seized from Hamas by the Intelligence Directorate's intelligence collection and technical spoils unit.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that the war against Hamas in Gaza will end after Israel achieves its goals, The Times of Israel reported. He said that the Hamas' Jabaliya and Shejaiya battalions in the northern Gaza Strip are on the "verge of being dismantled."
Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant recently completed a situational assessment of the fighting in Gaza, in which he emphasised the progress of IDF forces have made.
Speaking at the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Gallant emphasised "at the end of this 'campaign,' Hamas, as a military organisation or governing body in Gaza, will cease to exist."
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that the Israeli forces will get to Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar and eliminate him, Times of Israel reported on Saturday.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday spoke with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and discussed the need to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza and to ensure the protection of civilians.
"We will continue to coordinate closely with Israel to help secure the release of innocent men, women and children in the clutches of Hamas, including American citizens," the US Defence Secretary said during a press conference with the Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday.
Appreciating the US support amid the ongoing battle with Hamas, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Washington has shown what it means to be an "ally, friend and brother".