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 today to congratulate him on the rescue of four Israeli hostages, who have now been returned to their families. They discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border in the wake of Lebanese Hizballah's increased aggression. He also thanked Minister Gallant for Israel's support for the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage deal, and they agreed that the onus is on Hamas to accept the deal.