Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant May 29 to discuss Israel's operations in Gaza, the need to sustain increased deliveries of humanitarian assistance, and the urgent importance of opening the Rafah Border Crossing for the continued flow of aid. Secretary Austin offered his condolences to the families of the seven hostages whose bodies were recovered in Gaza, and he reiterated his calls for the immediate release of all hostages. Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant also discussed efforts to improve real-time communications between humanitarian providers and the Israeli military.