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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary Hagel's Call with Israeli Minister of Defense Ya'alon

Assistant Press Secretary Carl Woog provided the following readout:

Secretary Hagel spoke via telephone this morning with Israeli Minister of Defense, Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon. Minister Ya'alon updated Secretary Hagel on the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza.

The secretary reiterated his condolences on the recent kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, and expressed the United States' condemnation of continuing rocket fire into Israel by Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

The secretary reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself against these attacks. He also expressed concern about the risk of further escalation and emphasized the need for all sides to do everything they can to protect the lives of civilians and restore calm. 

The two leaders agreed to continue working closely on the broad range of security issues facing the United States and Israel and to speak again soon.