Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss updates on Israel's operations to restore security after Hamas' terrorist attacks. Secretary Austin expressed his appreciation regarding humanitarian assistance developments and welcomed the release of two American hostages. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for Israel's self-defense and his commitment to deterring any state or non-state actors seeking to escalate the conflict.