US Defense Minister Urges Israel To Prevent Israeli Settlement Violence In The West Bank

UNRWA/PHOTO via X @UN

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urged Israel to prevent violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank while speaking with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by telephone.

According to the Pentagon -as the US Department of Defense headquarters - Austin called Gallant to find out the latest developments in Israel's operations in Gaza while ensuring Hamas can no longer use Gaza to threaten Israel's security.

Austin also urged Israel to protect civilians in Gaza, increase the delivery of humanitarian aid, and prevent the violence of extremist settlers in the West Bank.

At least 17,177 Palestinians have died and more than 46,000 others have been injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7.

Austin also expressed concern over the deadly fighting between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah group this week.

"Finally, the minister condemned the increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea, which threatens the freedom of navigation and freedom of trade movement."

Separately, Austin made a phone call with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud to address Houthi's threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea

Speaking of the Houthi attack targeting US warships in Aden Bay, Austin stressed that Houthi attacks on ships transiting waterways are an important threat to freedom of international trade movement and shipping industry.

Minister Austin expressed his desire to cooperate with all countries of equal interest in upholding the principles of freedom of navigation and ensuring a safe path for global shipping.