1 00:00:02,539 --> 00:00:05,880 Hi everyone . Good morning . No , good 2 00:00:05,889 --> 00:00:09,819 afternoon . Uh Sorry about that . Ok , 3 00:00:09,829 --> 00:00:11,996 so I have a few items to pass along at 4 00:00:11,996 --> 00:00:14,107 the top and then I'd be happy to jump 5 00:00:14,107 --> 00:00:16,273 in and take your questions . Uh So the 6 00:00:16,273 --> 00:00:18,496 department continues to closely monitor 7 00:00:18,496 --> 00:00:20,551 the situation in the Middle East and 8 00:00:20,551 --> 00:00:20,170 maintains a steady focus on our 9 00:00:20,180 --> 00:00:22,291 critical lines of effort that include 10 00:00:22,291 --> 00:00:24,402 protecting our forces and citizens in 11 00:00:24,402 --> 00:00:26,620 the region , strengthening our force 12 00:00:26,629 --> 00:00:29,190 posture , flowing critical security 13 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:30,200 assistance . 14 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,229 Today , the secretary con um convened a 15 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:43,880 call with Egyptian Minister of Defense 16 00:00:43,889 --> 00:00:45,939 General Zak to discuss efforts to 17 00:00:45,950 --> 00:00:48,061 bolster security in the Middle East . 18 00:00:48,061 --> 00:00:50,680 These calls are part of his ongoing um 19 00:00:50,900 --> 00:00:53,011 outreach and keeping in close contact 20 00:00:53,011 --> 00:00:55,233 with allies and the and partners in the 21 00:00:55,233 --> 00:00:57,067 region . The Secretary expressed 22 00:00:57,067 --> 00:00:58,900 appreciation for Egypt's work to 23 00:00:58,900 --> 00:01:01,122 facilitate the delivery of humanitarian 24 00:01:01,122 --> 00:01:03,011 aid and the safe evacuation of us 25 00:01:03,011 --> 00:01:05,260 citizens from Gaza . They also 26 00:01:05,269 --> 00:01:07,325 discussed the importance of civilian 27 00:01:07,325 --> 00:01:09,380 protection and a full readout of the 28 00:01:09,380 --> 00:01:11,491 discussion will be posted later today 29 00:01:11,491 --> 00:01:13,547 on our department's website . And uh 30 00:01:13,547 --> 00:01:15,825 looking ahead for tomorrow as you know , 31 00:01:15,825 --> 00:01:18,047 tomorrow , Secretary Austin will depart 32 00:01:18,047 --> 00:01:20,158 for a trip to India , the Republic of 33 00:01:20,158 --> 00:01:22,380 Korea and Indonesia . The secretary and 34 00:01:22,380 --> 00:01:24,436 his team have an exciting agenda and 35 00:01:24,436 --> 00:01:26,547 will continue to build on historic us 36 00:01:26,547 --> 00:01:28,436 momentum toward a shared regional 37 00:01:28,436 --> 00:01:30,269 vision for peace , stability and 38 00:01:30,269 --> 00:01:32,269 prosperity . If you didn't see it . 39 00:01:32,269 --> 00:01:34,430 This morning , we posted a fact sheet 40 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,551 for the trip that describes our goals 41 00:01:36,551 --> 00:01:38,607 for strengthening , ally and partner 42 00:01:38,607 --> 00:01:40,662 capabilities , networking , allies , 43 00:01:40,662 --> 00:01:42,662 and partners and operating together 44 00:01:42,662 --> 00:01:44,440 across the Indo Pacific that is 45 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,496 available on our website right now . 46 00:01:46,496 --> 00:01:48,662 Shifting to Congress as of yesterday , 47 00:01:48,662 --> 00:01:52,400 there are now 452 nominations which 48 00:01:52,410 --> 00:01:55,830 concern 448 general and flag officers 49 00:01:56,010 --> 00:01:58,121 at the Senate for consideration . And 50 00:01:58,121 --> 00:02:00,288 that are currently impacted by Senator 51 00:02:00,288 --> 00:02:02,010 Tuberville's holds some of the 52 00:02:02,010 --> 00:02:03,732 positions that are stalled for 53 00:02:03,732 --> 00:02:05,788 confirmation include the fifth fleet 54 00:02:05,788 --> 00:02:07,732 commander , the deputy fifth fleet 55 00:02:07,732 --> 00:02:09,677 commander , the defense attache to 56 00:02:09,677 --> 00:02:12,289 Israel . And the list goes on as we've 57 00:02:12,300 --> 00:02:14,522 said before . These holds have a direct 58 00:02:14,522 --> 00:02:16,689 effect on our military readiness , our 59 00:02:16,689 --> 00:02:18,633 national security and our military 60 00:02:18,633 --> 00:02:21,479 families . And one last item before we 61 00:02:21,490 --> 00:02:23,740 uh start the briefing today is Colonel 62 00:02:23,750 --> 00:02:27,039 Roger Kniss last day as the director of 63 00:02:27,050 --> 00:02:29,550 Press operations . Colonel Kniss has 64 00:02:29,559 --> 00:02:31,615 been part of our OS D family for the 65 00:02:31,615 --> 00:02:33,940 last two years and we are incredibly 66 00:02:33,949 --> 00:02:36,250 sad to see him leave . Uh You all work 67 00:02:36,259 --> 00:02:38,370 with Colonel Kniss every day . So you 68 00:02:38,370 --> 00:02:40,592 know that he's here , always willing to 69 00:02:40,592 --> 00:02:42,759 take your questions , always answering 70 00:02:42,759 --> 00:02:45,037 calls , emails , uh very late at night . 71 00:02:45,037 --> 00:02:46,981 Um And he is most importantly , he 72 00:02:46,981 --> 00:02:49,092 brings incredible knowledge and depth 73 00:02:49,092 --> 00:02:51,259 to any issue area or a or um that he's 74 00:02:51,259 --> 00:02:53,481 asked about . And on a personal level , 75 00:02:53,481 --> 00:02:55,648 Roger has been an exceptional teammate 76 00:02:55,648 --> 00:02:57,481 to work with , um , when I first 77 00:02:57,481 --> 00:02:59,426 started at the department . So I'm 78 00:02:59,426 --> 00:03:01,481 really sad to see him leave , but um 79 00:03:01,481 --> 00:03:03,703 really excited to also see what he does 80 00:03:03,703 --> 00:03:03,630 in his next steps , uh within the army . 81 00:03:03,979 --> 00:03:06,146 And on that note , we are , um , while 82 00:03:06,146 --> 00:03:08,146 we're very sad to see Colonel Kniss 83 00:03:08,146 --> 00:03:10,035 leave , we are excited to welcome 84 00:03:10,035 --> 00:03:11,979 Colonel Chris Devine um as our new 85 00:03:11,979 --> 00:03:14,035 incoming DPO director , who you also 86 00:03:14,035 --> 00:03:16,257 know very well . Um And with that , I'd 87 00:03:16,257 --> 00:03:18,312 be happy to take your questions . So 88 00:03:18,312 --> 00:03:20,535 we'll go to Lita . Thanks Rena . Um two 89 00:03:20,535 --> 00:03:22,701 things . One , can you tell us whether 90 00:03:22,701 --> 00:03:24,923 or not the two iron domes have yet been 91 00:03:24,923 --> 00:03:28,440 delivered to Israel . And secondly , on 92 00:03:28,449 --> 00:03:31,080 this sort of ongoing spate of attacks 93 00:03:31,190 --> 00:03:34,869 against us , forces in both Syria and 94 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,860 Iraq , you all have said repeatedly , 95 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,259 um that this is , you know , I Iran 96 00:03:42,270 --> 00:03:44,500 continues to support these groups , et 97 00:03:44,509 --> 00:03:46,580 cetera . But I'm wondering if more 98 00:03:46,589 --> 00:03:49,059 specifically you can say whether or not 99 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,580 in recent weeks has the department seen 100 00:03:52,589 --> 00:03:54,660 evidence of any either control 101 00:03:55,115 --> 00:03:58,884 direction or specific aid to these 102 00:03:58,895 --> 00:04:01,714 groups more recently as opposed to a 103 00:04:01,725 --> 00:04:03,725 broader ? Yeah , they do it all the 104 00:04:03,725 --> 00:04:05,781 time . Um So in terms of your second 105 00:04:05,781 --> 00:04:07,785 question first on , on recent 106 00:04:07,794 --> 00:04:09,905 activities , you know , I'm not going 107 00:04:09,905 --> 00:04:12,072 to speak to our intelligence and , and 108 00:04:12,072 --> 00:04:13,850 um go go beyond what we've said 109 00:04:13,850 --> 00:04:17,540 publicly , we know that Iran equips 110 00:04:17,549 --> 00:04:20,880 supports um funds these I RGC backed 111 00:04:20,890 --> 00:04:23,799 groups in Iraq and Syria . And so , 112 00:04:23,809 --> 00:04:25,587 while I won't speak to anything 113 00:04:25,587 --> 00:04:28,320 specific in recent weeks , we don't 114 00:04:29,079 --> 00:04:31,023 suspect that that relationship has 115 00:04:31,023 --> 00:04:34,059 terminated in any way . Um In terms of 116 00:04:34,070 --> 00:04:36,126 your , you asked about the iron dome 117 00:04:36,126 --> 00:04:38,348 systems . Um So we're in the process of 118 00:04:38,348 --> 00:04:40,348 providing those systems to Israel , 119 00:04:40,348 --> 00:04:42,790 we'll let them speak to when they're 120 00:04:42,799 --> 00:04:44,966 actually delivered , but that , that's 121 00:04:44,966 --> 00:04:47,132 an ongoing process . So the process is 122 00:04:47,350 --> 00:04:50,579 ongoing right now . That's right . Mari , 123 00:04:50,619 --> 00:04:52,675 you believe deterrence against these 124 00:04:52,675 --> 00:04:54,730 Iran black militias attacking you in 125 00:04:54,730 --> 00:04:56,952 Iraq and Syria is working . I'm sorry , 126 00:04:56,952 --> 00:04:59,286 what was the first part of the question ? 127 00:04:59,286 --> 00:05:01,397 Deterrent against them working well , 128 00:05:01,397 --> 00:05:03,563 what you're seeing is we , we are very 129 00:05:03,563 --> 00:05:05,730 candid about we're seeing an uptick in 130 00:05:05,730 --> 00:05:08,040 attacks , but um so far we have not 131 00:05:08,049 --> 00:05:11,480 seen any significant casualties . We've 132 00:05:11,489 --> 00:05:13,433 not seen significant damage to our 133 00:05:13,433 --> 00:05:16,320 infrastructure . Um Our posture in the 134 00:05:16,329 --> 00:05:18,570 region has certainly been bolstered by 135 00:05:18,579 --> 00:05:20,579 the assets that you've seen us move 136 00:05:20,579 --> 00:05:23,649 into the A or with the I transiting 137 00:05:23,660 --> 00:05:25,690 there now , um with the Ford in the 138 00:05:25,700 --> 00:05:29,179 Eastern Med . Um I would say that while 139 00:05:29,190 --> 00:05:31,246 we are seeing an uptick in attacks , 140 00:05:31,246 --> 00:05:33,190 our purpose is to ensure that this 141 00:05:33,190 --> 00:05:35,079 conflict doesn't widen out beyond 142 00:05:35,079 --> 00:05:37,301 Israel . So I would say that deterrence 143 00:05:37,301 --> 00:05:39,950 right now um is it's incredibly strong 144 00:05:39,959 --> 00:05:41,737 on our side . We are sending an 145 00:05:41,737 --> 00:05:45,519 incredible message to any uh state 146 00:05:45,529 --> 00:05:47,640 or non state actor that would want to 147 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,696 seek to get involved in the conflict 148 00:05:49,696 --> 00:05:52,239 that they do not do that . And so again , 149 00:05:52,250 --> 00:05:54,361 while we see these attacks increase , 150 00:05:54,361 --> 00:05:56,583 we're not seeing significant casualties 151 00:05:56,583 --> 00:05:58,583 or significant harm to our , to our 152 00:05:58,583 --> 00:06:00,750 service members . There have been more 153 00:06:00,750 --> 00:06:02,972 attacks I think against us forces since 154 00:06:03,070 --> 00:06:05,779 your retaliatory strikes than prior to 155 00:06:05,790 --> 00:06:07,901 it . So I'm just wondering what the , 156 00:06:08,369 --> 00:06:10,425 uh , you know , why do you , I guess 157 00:06:10,425 --> 00:06:12,369 the injuries could have not have , 158 00:06:12,369 --> 00:06:14,536 could be low because a because of luck 159 00:06:14,536 --> 00:06:16,758 or b because of the measures you took ? 160 00:06:16,758 --> 00:06:18,980 Right . So do you believe the intent of 161 00:06:18,980 --> 00:06:21,147 these groups has changed in any way or 162 00:06:21,147 --> 00:06:23,202 is it just that the precautions that 163 00:06:23,202 --> 00:06:25,202 you've taken have worked ? Well , I 164 00:06:25,202 --> 00:06:27,369 can't speak to the group's intent . Um 165 00:06:27,369 --> 00:06:29,591 All I can speak to is what we are doing 166 00:06:29,591 --> 00:06:31,813 to protect our service members . And um 167 00:06:31,813 --> 00:06:33,925 you're seeing that the secretary made 168 00:06:33,925 --> 00:06:36,144 the decision to put more air defenses 169 00:06:36,204 --> 00:06:38,093 in the region to help support and 170 00:06:38,093 --> 00:06:40,093 protect our service members both in 171 00:06:40,093 --> 00:06:42,371 Iraq and Syria . Um in terms of intent , 172 00:06:42,371 --> 00:06:44,426 I , I can't speak to that but we did 173 00:06:44,426 --> 00:06:46,371 see these type of attacks in early 174 00:06:46,371 --> 00:06:48,505 March of this year . Um Again , we 175 00:06:48,515 --> 00:06:50,725 responded then , uh we responded on 176 00:06:50,734 --> 00:06:54,149 October 26th . Um We're gonna 177 00:06:54,510 --> 00:06:56,621 make the decisions on when we respond 178 00:06:56,621 --> 00:06:58,843 and if we respond next , um we'll leave 179 00:06:58,843 --> 00:07:00,621 that to a time and place of our 180 00:07:00,621 --> 00:07:02,454 choosing , but I just don't have 181 00:07:02,454 --> 00:07:04,621 morphine on that . Sabrina . I want to 182 00:07:04,621 --> 00:07:06,677 follow up on that . Um You and other 183 00:07:06,677 --> 00:07:08,677 Pentagon officials have said the US 184 00:07:08,677 --> 00:07:10,732 will do anything it takes to protect 185 00:07:10,732 --> 00:07:12,899 those troops , especially in Syria and 186 00:07:12,899 --> 00:07:14,843 Iraq . Um But as a jus pointed out 187 00:07:14,843 --> 00:07:16,677 since the 26th and those limited 188 00:07:16,677 --> 00:07:18,732 counter strikes by the US , um we've 189 00:07:18,732 --> 00:07:20,399 seen no slowdown and maybe an 190 00:07:20,399 --> 00:07:22,566 acceleration if anything . So it seems 191 00:07:22,566 --> 00:07:24,677 clear that those groups have not been 192 00:07:24,677 --> 00:07:26,677 deterred . So is what you're saying 193 00:07:26,677 --> 00:07:28,510 that taking more forceful action 194 00:07:28,510 --> 00:07:30,677 against those groups to try to end the 195 00:07:30,677 --> 00:07:32,788 threat against us forces might end up 196 00:07:32,788 --> 00:07:34,899 causing more blowback than it's worth 197 00:07:34,899 --> 00:07:36,954 or is that the reason why there's so 198 00:07:36,954 --> 00:07:39,066 much um hesitance to , to strike more 199 00:07:39,066 --> 00:07:41,066 forcefully . I wouldn't say there's 200 00:07:41,066 --> 00:07:43,177 hesitancy . We decide to respond at a 201 00:07:43,177 --> 00:07:45,343 time and place of our choosing . Um We 202 00:07:45,343 --> 00:07:47,399 don't necessarily have to be tit for 203 00:07:47,399 --> 00:07:49,621 tat every single time we are incredibly 204 00:07:49,621 --> 00:07:51,788 strategic about when we decide to take 205 00:07:51,788 --> 00:07:54,070 kinetic action . Um And you saw that on 206 00:07:54,079 --> 00:07:56,130 October 26th when we did hit key 207 00:07:56,140 --> 00:07:58,420 infrastructure nodes that these I RGC 208 00:07:58,429 --> 00:08:01,329 backed groups use . So , um it's really , 209 00:08:01,339 --> 00:08:04,589 it's really not necessarily of um like 210 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,933 comparison every time there's an attack , 211 00:08:06,933 --> 00:08:08,933 it's how successful we can be about 212 00:08:08,933 --> 00:08:11,049 damaging and destroying uh 213 00:08:11,059 --> 00:08:13,281 infrastructure that they have used to . 214 00:08:13,281 --> 00:08:15,170 And that's exactly what we did on 215 00:08:15,170 --> 00:08:17,489 October 26th . Um Again , with the 216 00:08:17,500 --> 00:08:19,722 increase of attacks , um these have not 217 00:08:19,722 --> 00:08:21,769 been successful , they have not 218 00:08:21,779 --> 00:08:24,179 resulted in serious injuries and we're 219 00:08:24,190 --> 00:08:26,480 incredibly grateful that um we have 220 00:08:26,489 --> 00:08:28,711 these air defenses in place and that we 221 00:08:28,711 --> 00:08:30,878 have been able to protect our troops . 222 00:08:30,878 --> 00:08:32,878 Um That is something that is of the 223 00:08:32,878 --> 00:08:35,045 utmost importance to the secretary and 224 00:08:35,045 --> 00:08:37,059 this administration . Um And , and 225 00:08:37,070 --> 00:08:39,359 while I say that you're also seeing 226 00:08:39,369 --> 00:08:41,799 that this conflict has not wind out 227 00:08:41,820 --> 00:08:44,140 beyond Israel , that our deterrence 228 00:08:44,150 --> 00:08:47,409 posture is um significantly increased 229 00:08:47,419 --> 00:08:49,363 in the region . And we're going to 230 00:08:49,363 --> 00:08:51,586 continue to both publicly and privately 231 00:08:51,586 --> 00:08:55,059 convey that um that any actor who wants 232 00:08:55,070 --> 00:08:57,403 to seek advantage of this conflict that , 233 00:08:57,403 --> 00:08:59,459 that they do not do that y'all go to 234 00:08:59,459 --> 00:08:58,909 will 235 00:09:08,750 --> 00:09:11,083 attacks on us forces starting this week . 236 00:09:11,239 --> 00:09:13,128 Um And there's definitely been an 237 00:09:13,128 --> 00:09:16,270 uptick in , in , in clients Sunday has , 238 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:18,840 have you seen an uptick in , in , in 239 00:09:18,849 --> 00:09:20,793 attacks that have come close to us 240 00:09:20,793 --> 00:09:22,960 bases in the past week ? Has this been 241 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,016 kind of borne out operationally that 242 00:09:25,016 --> 00:09:24,820 they follow through on this or not ? 243 00:09:25,119 --> 00:09:27,175 Well , I mean , we've certainly seen 244 00:09:27,175 --> 00:09:29,770 attacks continue within the last , you 245 00:09:29,789 --> 00:09:33,169 know , few days . Are you asking like , 246 00:09:33,179 --> 00:09:35,650 specifically , like how close they have 247 00:09:35,659 --> 00:09:38,299 gotten to the base in terms of the 248 00:09:38,309 --> 00:09:40,365 volume of attacks since Sunday ? Has 249 00:09:40,365 --> 00:09:42,698 there been an increase compared to what , 250 00:09:42,698 --> 00:09:44,920 even within the past three weeks ? What 251 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:44,530 we've been seeing , I wouldn't say that 252 00:09:44,539 --> 00:09:46,650 there's been a significant increase . 253 00:09:46,650 --> 00:09:48,700 Um , you know , it's sort of steady 254 00:09:48,710 --> 00:09:50,821 state and I can just give you a quick 255 00:09:50,821 --> 00:09:52,821 update of where we stand today . Um 256 00:09:52,830 --> 00:09:54,997 Because I think there are some reports 257 00:09:54,997 --> 00:09:57,119 that , uh , there was a rocket attack 258 00:09:57,130 --> 00:09:59,719 at MS S Euphrates just a few hours ago . 259 00:09:59,989 --> 00:10:02,049 So there was no injury um , to our 260 00:10:02,059 --> 00:10:04,170 service members or , or any damage to 261 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:06,210 any infrastructure , but between 262 00:10:06,219 --> 00:10:09,159 October 17th and November 7th or today , 263 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,460 um , us forces have been attacked at 264 00:10:11,469 --> 00:10:14,299 least 40 times to date with 22 separate 265 00:10:14,309 --> 00:10:16,650 times in Iraq and 18 separate times in 266 00:10:16,659 --> 00:10:19,679 Syria . And that's a mix of , um , one 267 00:10:19,690 --> 00:10:21,857 way attack drones and rockets and just 268 00:10:21,857 --> 00:10:24,010 to clarify one thing before you guys 269 00:10:24,020 --> 00:10:26,131 start doing the math . Um We did have 270 00:10:26,140 --> 00:10:28,140 some discrepancy in reporting of an 271 00:10:28,140 --> 00:10:30,469 attack on uh October 25th . That was 272 00:10:30,479 --> 00:10:32,423 incorrectly reported . That was an 273 00:10:32,423 --> 00:10:34,830 attack in um Omar field in Syria . So 274 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:37,007 we're not counting that as an attack . 275 00:10:37,007 --> 00:10:38,951 So I just want to clarify . So the 276 00:10:38,951 --> 00:10:40,729 numbers again just for complete 277 00:10:40,729 --> 00:10:42,896 absolute transparency and want to make 278 00:10:42,896 --> 00:10:42,750 sure that you get them right is as of 279 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:45,760 today , 40 attacks on us forces 22 280 00:10:45,770 --> 00:10:47,937 separate times in Iraq and 18 separate 281 00:10:47,937 --> 00:10:50,859 times in Syria Liz . Yeah . What 282 00:10:50,869 --> 00:10:53,010 qualifies as an attack versus an 283 00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:55,076 attempted attack ? How do you define 284 00:10:55,076 --> 00:10:57,242 that ? I think journal writers book uh 285 00:10:57,242 --> 00:10:59,464 probably a little bit better about this 286 00:10:59,464 --> 00:11:01,464 the other day , but you know , it's 287 00:11:01,464 --> 00:11:03,687 more of an art than a science . Um It's 288 00:11:03,687 --> 00:11:05,960 the threat to us forces and how close a 289 00:11:05,969 --> 00:11:09,580 drone or a rocket gets to the base . 290 00:11:09,590 --> 00:11:12,809 So we assess each one each time on um 291 00:11:12,820 --> 00:11:14,987 what constitutes an attack . There are 292 00:11:14,987 --> 00:11:16,764 different ways on how different 293 00:11:16,764 --> 00:11:20,034 agencies also characterize the attack . 294 00:11:20,044 --> 00:11:22,155 So we're trying to do the best we can 295 00:11:22,155 --> 00:11:24,211 and provide you the most transparent 296 00:11:24,211 --> 00:11:26,322 information that we can as quickly as 297 00:11:26,322 --> 00:11:28,344 possible . But it's more of the the 298 00:11:28,354 --> 00:11:30,575 threat in the vicinity of that would 299 00:11:30,585 --> 00:11:32,252 characterize the attack . And 300 00:11:32,252 --> 00:11:34,418 separately , yesterday , General Ryder 301 00:11:34,418 --> 00:11:36,141 acknowledged that thousands of 302 00:11:36,141 --> 00:11:38,363 civilians in Gaza have been killed from 303 00:11:38,363 --> 00:11:40,650 um Israel's attacks . And at the same , 304 00:11:40,659 --> 00:11:42,770 in the same briefing also acknowledge 305 00:11:42,770 --> 00:11:44,492 that the US is not putting any 306 00:11:44,492 --> 00:11:46,659 conditions on the weapons it's sending 307 00:11:46,770 --> 00:11:49,030 is the Pentagon comfortable with the 308 00:11:49,039 --> 00:11:50,983 fact that the weapons it's sending 309 00:11:50,989 --> 00:11:53,549 could be used to kill civilians . Well , 310 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:55,781 we don't put conditions on weapons that 311 00:11:55,781 --> 00:11:57,726 we're , that we're sending or that 312 00:11:57,726 --> 00:11:59,837 Israel is using . Um , but I can tell 313 00:11:59,837 --> 00:12:02,869 you in all of our both public and 314 00:12:03,059 --> 00:12:05,170 private conversations , the secretary 315 00:12:05,170 --> 00:12:07,281 and this administration has been very 316 00:12:07,281 --> 00:12:10,950 clear that um humanitarian law 317 00:12:11,039 --> 00:12:13,710 proportionality always be taken into 318 00:12:13,719 --> 00:12:16,570 consideration when conducting any type 319 00:12:16,580 --> 00:12:19,799 of response within Gaza . And um I , I 320 00:12:19,809 --> 00:12:22,510 think that , you know , we're going to 321 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:24,687 continue to have these conversations . 322 00:12:24,687 --> 00:12:26,798 Um That's what a good partner does is 323 00:12:26,798 --> 00:12:29,020 also having these tough conversations . 324 00:12:29,020 --> 00:12:31,965 Um Both , you know , uh you , you're 325 00:12:31,974 --> 00:12:34,030 seeing Secretary Blinken there right 326 00:12:34,030 --> 00:12:36,085 now in the region or , or maybe just 327 00:12:36,085 --> 00:12:38,252 coming back . Um You've seen Secretary 328 00:12:38,252 --> 00:12:40,252 Austin on a near daily basis , have 329 00:12:40,252 --> 00:12:42,474 these calls with Minister Galan . Um So 330 00:12:42,474 --> 00:12:45,109 again , we're gonna continue to voice 331 00:12:45,119 --> 00:12:47,419 our concerns . Um we're gonna continue 332 00:12:47,429 --> 00:12:50,780 to urge that Israel , um , uphold the 333 00:12:50,789 --> 00:12:52,900 laws of war , the humanitarian laws . 334 00:12:52,900 --> 00:12:55,609 Um , but is it , is really the ID F and 335 00:12:55,619 --> 00:12:57,979 their operations , um , that they would 336 00:12:57,989 --> 00:12:59,545 need to speak to those more 337 00:12:59,545 --> 00:13:01,600 specifically once the weapons are in 338 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:03,711 the hands of the ID F , um , does the 339 00:13:03,711 --> 00:13:05,933 US have any sort of way of tracking how 340 00:13:05,933 --> 00:13:08,100 they're being used ? Like an end use ? 341 00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:10,045 Monitoring ? Well , and anytime we 342 00:13:10,045 --> 00:13:12,156 provide , anytime we provide any type 343 00:13:12,156 --> 00:13:14,219 of us security assistance , we um 344 00:13:15,049 --> 00:13:17,729 expect whatever nation is using our 345 00:13:17,739 --> 00:13:19,795 weapons to uphold them with the laws 346 00:13:19,795 --> 00:13:21,906 that , you know , we , we , we put on 347 00:13:21,906 --> 00:13:24,017 them um upholding humanitarian laws . 348 00:13:24,017 --> 00:13:26,239 So , um I wouldn't say it's necessarily 349 00:13:26,239 --> 00:13:28,350 an end use monitoring , but we expect 350 00:13:28,350 --> 00:13:30,517 them to be used in accordance with the 351 00:13:30,517 --> 00:13:33,960 laws , Jamie , thank you . One in 352 00:13:35,479 --> 00:13:38,594 the South . The Ministry of National 353 00:13:38,604 --> 00:13:41,875 Defense is claiming that the September 354 00:13:41,885 --> 00:13:45,794 19 2019 military agreement 355 00:13:45,804 --> 00:13:48,715 between South Korea and North Korea 356 00:13:48,724 --> 00:13:52,405 should be suspended because it has a 357 00:13:52,534 --> 00:13:56,114 negative impact on South Korea's 358 00:13:56,284 --> 00:13:59,030 Defense Posture . And do you know 359 00:13:59,039 --> 00:14:01,840 because of this agreement to us , uh 360 00:14:01,849 --> 00:14:04,929 reconnaissance activities are , 361 00:14:06,419 --> 00:14:08,950 do you think this agreement should be 362 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:12,340 uh suspended for the United States to 363 00:14:12,349 --> 00:14:15,799 effectively uh depend the South Korea ? 364 00:14:15,809 --> 00:14:17,976 I think you , you're talking about the 365 00:14:17,976 --> 00:14:19,865 2019 agreement . So I would , I , 366 00:14:19,865 --> 00:14:21,976 that's something that um the Republic 367 00:14:21,976 --> 00:14:24,087 of Korea would have to speak to and , 368 00:14:24,087 --> 00:14:26,031 and make a decision about . I just 369 00:14:26,031 --> 00:14:25,840 don't have anything to offer on that . 370 00:14:26,869 --> 00:14:30,520 Sure , Kim Jong Un recently declared 371 00:14:30,530 --> 00:14:34,280 that he would support Hamas and the 372 00:14:34,289 --> 00:14:36,455 senior Hamas . The officer said that 373 00:14:36,465 --> 00:14:40,304 North Korea is their ally and mentioned 374 00:14:40,315 --> 00:14:44,284 the possibility of attacking the United 375 00:14:44,294 --> 00:14:47,015 States together with the North Korea 376 00:14:47,025 --> 00:14:49,715 and the Hamas . How concerned do you 377 00:14:49,724 --> 00:14:53,494 think this is ? So , I haven't seen any 378 00:14:53,505 --> 00:14:56,325 correlation between Hamas and the D pr 379 00:14:56,335 --> 00:15:00,219 K . They both separately um offer 380 00:15:00,229 --> 00:15:03,229 different threats and different , you 381 00:15:03,239 --> 00:15:05,295 know , security threats to their own 382 00:15:05,295 --> 00:15:07,517 regions and our own national security . 383 00:15:07,517 --> 00:15:09,739 But I haven't seen a connection between 384 00:15:09,739 --> 00:15:11,683 Hamas and the D Pr K . Acknowledge 385 00:15:11,683 --> 00:15:14,109 North Korea provided weapons to Hamas 386 00:15:14,119 --> 00:15:16,994 because I did not acknowledge that . I 387 00:15:17,525 --> 00:15:21,474 mean , I , I wouldn't 388 00:15:21,484 --> 00:15:23,817 be able to comment on that . I think II , 389 00:15:23,817 --> 00:15:25,817 I haven't seen a connection between 390 00:15:25,817 --> 00:15:27,984 Hamas and the D Pr K . Um Again , it's 391 00:15:27,984 --> 00:15:30,317 something that will continue to monitor . 392 00:15:30,317 --> 00:15:33,320 Um We know that , you know , North 393 00:15:33,330 --> 00:15:36,000 Korea is continuing to provide arms and 394 00:15:36,010 --> 00:15:37,954 assistance to Russia , but I can't 395 00:15:37,954 --> 00:15:40,232 really speak to the Hamas relationship . 396 00:15:40,232 --> 00:15:42,454 OK . I'm going to go ahead Fadi . Thank 397 00:15:42,454 --> 00:15:44,929 you , Sabrina on the night of October 398 00:15:44,940 --> 00:15:47,051 26th . When we had the briefing about 399 00:15:47,224 --> 00:15:49,734 strikes in Syria . I asked a senior 400 00:15:49,744 --> 00:15:51,800 defense official about the impact of 401 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,855 these strikes and I'm quoting here . 402 00:15:53,855 --> 00:15:55,965 The official said um this will have 403 00:15:55,974 --> 00:15:59,104 significant impact , it will impact the 404 00:15:59,114 --> 00:16:02,380 ST uh ability of the I RGC and RGC uh 405 00:16:02,390 --> 00:16:04,446 backed militia groups to continue to 406 00:16:04,446 --> 00:16:06,112 attack us forces and continue 407 00:16:06,112 --> 00:16:08,168 destabilizing the region . Now , you 408 00:16:08,168 --> 00:16:10,334 just told us there's been an uptick in 409 00:16:10,334 --> 00:16:12,446 attacks against us forces in Iraq and 410 00:16:12,446 --> 00:16:14,612 Syria . Do you have a new assessment ? 411 00:16:14,612 --> 00:16:17,690 And did this strike fail in achieving 412 00:16:17,700 --> 00:16:20,590 what the senior defense official said ? 413 00:16:20,750 --> 00:16:22,972 I can't remember my exact words , but I 414 00:16:22,972 --> 00:16:25,139 believe I was using uptick in terms of 415 00:16:25,139 --> 00:16:27,194 the broad uptick from October 17th , 416 00:16:27,194 --> 00:16:29,250 not generally from one point of this 417 00:16:29,250 --> 00:16:32,630 weekend or today . Um I , you know , 418 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:35,530 we destroyed and , and very carefully 419 00:16:35,539 --> 00:16:38,419 targeted facilities used by these I RGC 420 00:16:38,429 --> 00:16:42,039 back groups . Um Again , it is , it 421 00:16:42,049 --> 00:16:44,590 is our decision and at a time and place 422 00:16:44,599 --> 00:16:46,766 of our choosing when we will respond . 423 00:16:46,766 --> 00:16:48,766 If we respond again right now , the 424 00:16:48,766 --> 00:16:50,821 attacks that we've seen the , the 40 425 00:16:50,821 --> 00:16:52,543 that I mentioned have not been 426 00:16:52,543 --> 00:16:54,599 successful . Um You know , our , our 427 00:16:54,599 --> 00:16:56,766 troops have not been seriously injured 428 00:16:56,766 --> 00:16:59,020 and our infrastructure at the bases or 429 00:16:59,030 --> 00:17:01,086 where they're targeting has not been 430 00:17:01,086 --> 00:17:04,280 seriously damaged . Um So again , I I 431 00:17:04,290 --> 00:17:07,390 think that the , the strike that we 432 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:11,284 took uh 26 was very deliberate . It 433 00:17:11,293 --> 00:17:13,473 sent a message and again , this was 434 00:17:13,484 --> 00:17:15,595 also about not widening this conflict 435 00:17:15,595 --> 00:17:17,593 but responding to these Iran proxy 436 00:17:17,604 --> 00:17:20,573 groups . But in light of the fact that 437 00:17:20,583 --> 00:17:23,034 these attacks are continuing in both 438 00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:25,884 Iraq and Syria , do you still is the 439 00:17:25,894 --> 00:17:28,920 assessment still that the strike on the 440 00:17:28,930 --> 00:17:32,670 strikes on October 26th had an impact 441 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:34,930 on the ability of I RGC groups to 442 00:17:34,939 --> 00:17:37,161 attack us forces . Well , I'm not going 443 00:17:37,161 --> 00:17:39,160 to get into specific intelligence 444 00:17:39,170 --> 00:17:41,969 assessments . But we feel we feel 445 00:17:41,979 --> 00:17:44,489 pretty confident about the targets and 446 00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:46,611 what we were able to strike and their 447 00:17:46,611 --> 00:17:49,709 success . Yeah , of course , Rio , I 448 00:17:49,719 --> 00:17:51,775 want to ask you about the regulatory 449 00:17:51,775 --> 00:17:54,569 script to the in the past . Uh the US 450 00:17:54,579 --> 00:17:56,640 military is handling the immediate 451 00:17:56,650 --> 00:17:59,050 challenge in Israel and the war in 452 00:17:59,060 --> 00:18:02,349 Ukraine will probably last for a while . 453 00:18:02,380 --> 00:18:04,420 So under this circumstance , what 454 00:18:04,430 --> 00:18:07,160 message will the secretary deliver to 455 00:18:07,189 --> 00:18:09,449 allies in the region ? And , and also 456 00:18:09,459 --> 00:18:12,119 to China , that his group to , to the 457 00:18:12,130 --> 00:18:14,297 three countries ? Well , I'm not going 458 00:18:14,297 --> 00:18:16,463 to get ahead of the secretary , but he 459 00:18:16,463 --> 00:18:18,408 certainly , of course , um what is 460 00:18:18,408 --> 00:18:20,519 happening in the Middle East and what 461 00:18:20,519 --> 00:18:22,741 is happening in Ukraine continues to be 462 00:18:22,741 --> 00:18:24,852 on the top of minds of uh top of mind 463 00:18:24,852 --> 00:18:27,074 of the secretary and people here in the 464 00:18:27,074 --> 00:18:26,949 department . So of course , you know , 465 00:18:26,959 --> 00:18:29,015 that will come up in conversations , 466 00:18:29,015 --> 00:18:31,181 but I'm not going to get ahead of that 467 00:18:31,181 --> 00:18:33,348 because he leaves tomorrow . Um And of 468 00:18:33,348 --> 00:18:35,292 course , we will have , you know , 469 00:18:35,292 --> 00:18:37,403 readouts of each of his engagements . 470 00:18:37,403 --> 00:18:39,626 Um But as you mentioned , you know , he 471 00:18:39,626 --> 00:18:39,420 is going to the region , this is his 472 00:18:39,430 --> 00:18:42,439 ninth visit to the region . Um The N DS 473 00:18:42,449 --> 00:18:45,510 strategy that we rolled out uh last 474 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:48,550 year um is very clear that um the 475 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,616 department continues to focus on our 476 00:18:50,616 --> 00:18:52,782 pacing challenge , which is the PR C . 477 00:18:52,782 --> 00:18:54,727 So I think the secretary's trip is 478 00:18:54,727 --> 00:18:56,893 coming at an incredibly important time 479 00:18:56,893 --> 00:19:00,180 that while there are um other events 480 00:19:00,189 --> 00:19:02,133 taking place in the world , we can 481 00:19:02,133 --> 00:19:04,449 still engage in the Indo Pacific . 482 00:19:05,010 --> 00:19:07,260 Great brandy . Thanks Sabrina . I just 483 00:19:07,270 --> 00:19:10,209 have a quick follow up on Liz's line of 484 00:19:10,219 --> 00:19:13,530 questioning . You said repeatedly that 485 00:19:13,939 --> 00:19:16,500 the Pentagon expects the appropriate 486 00:19:16,510 --> 00:19:18,859 use of weapons by Israel . But I think 487 00:19:18,869 --> 00:19:21,091 what we're all trying to understand and 488 00:19:21,091 --> 00:19:23,091 is , is the Pentagon tracking if us 489 00:19:23,094 --> 00:19:25,685 weapons are enabling war crimes or 490 00:19:25,694 --> 00:19:28,204 crimes against civilians . So any 491 00:19:28,214 --> 00:19:31,244 country that receives any arms and 492 00:19:31,255 --> 00:19:33,454 military aid from the US must use them 493 00:19:33,464 --> 00:19:35,131 consistent with international 494 00:19:35,131 --> 00:19:37,297 humanitarian law . Um That's something 495 00:19:37,297 --> 00:19:39,520 that's built into every single security 496 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:41,686 assistance transfer agreement that the 497 00:19:41,686 --> 00:19:43,594 United States does . Um If we see 498 00:19:43,604 --> 00:19:45,715 something that raises concern , we're 499 00:19:45,715 --> 00:19:47,771 not going to hesitate to communicate 500 00:19:47,771 --> 00:19:50,530 that directly . Um And , and you know , 501 00:19:50,540 --> 00:19:52,596 we're going to continue to have very 502 00:19:52,596 --> 00:19:55,510 frank conversations with uh Mr Gant 503 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,520 with the Israeli government . Um as 504 00:19:57,520 --> 00:19:59,520 you've seen the secretary have on a 505 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:01,631 almost near daily basis . So that's a 506 00:20:01,631 --> 00:20:03,576 yes , you are tracking . Well , we 507 00:20:03,576 --> 00:20:06,119 don't put conditions on assistance 508 00:20:06,130 --> 00:20:08,640 given to Israel . What I can tell you 509 00:20:08,650 --> 00:20:11,810 is that any time a country like Israel 510 00:20:11,819 --> 00:20:13,930 is receiving arms or military support 511 00:20:13,930 --> 00:20:16,152 from the United States , we expect them 512 00:20:16,152 --> 00:20:17,763 to comply with international 513 00:20:17,763 --> 00:20:19,930 Humanitarian law . I'm gonna go to the 514 00:20:19,930 --> 00:20:22,041 phones here . Sorry for neglecting uh 515 00:20:22,041 --> 00:20:23,652 Missy Ryan Washington Post . 516 00:20:26,739 --> 00:20:29,630 Hi Sabrina . Thank you . Um Just really 517 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:31,473 quickly , I wanted to ask if the 518 00:20:31,473 --> 00:20:33,810 Pentagon has anything it can provide 519 00:20:33,839 --> 00:20:36,369 about the US decision , the Biden 520 00:20:36,380 --> 00:20:38,324 administration's decision that was 521 00:20:38,324 --> 00:20:40,520 announced today to suspend its um 522 00:20:40,530 --> 00:20:42,665 obligations with the regard to the 523 00:20:42,675 --> 00:20:44,842 conventional forces in Europe treaty . 524 00:20:44,842 --> 00:20:47,824 What practical impact will that 525 00:20:47,834 --> 00:20:51,084 decision have on the troop posture in 526 00:20:51,094 --> 00:20:53,305 Europe ? And , and does that open the 527 00:20:53,314 --> 00:20:55,814 door for the United States to have more 528 00:20:55,824 --> 00:20:59,145 permanent basing of troops in , in 529 00:20:59,155 --> 00:21:02,300 certain parts of Europe ? Um Now that 530 00:21:02,329 --> 00:21:04,920 it's not complying with the CFE . 531 00:21:04,930 --> 00:21:07,400 Thanks . Yeah , thanks , Missy . Um So 532 00:21:07,410 --> 00:21:09,466 in terms of any changes to our force 533 00:21:09,466 --> 00:21:11,410 posture , I don't have anything to 534 00:21:11,410 --> 00:21:13,632 announce here today . Um Again , it was 535 00:21:13,632 --> 00:21:15,299 Russia that withdrew from the 536 00:21:15,299 --> 00:21:17,354 conventional armed forces . Um The , 537 00:21:17,354 --> 00:21:19,410 the treaty , the CFE treaty that you 538 00:21:19,410 --> 00:21:21,354 mentioned . Um So it's in light of 539 00:21:21,354 --> 00:21:23,354 these circumstances that the United 540 00:21:23,354 --> 00:21:25,410 States is also withdrawing and um we 541 00:21:25,410 --> 00:21:28,390 have been in uh communication with our 542 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:30,622 NATO partners and allies , many of whom 543 00:21:30,622 --> 00:21:33,880 are CFE uh treaty uh state and , and 544 00:21:33,890 --> 00:21:35,920 parties , but in terms of actual 545 00:21:35,930 --> 00:21:38,097 presence or , or force posture or what 546 00:21:38,097 --> 00:21:41,430 this means um for our forces in um 547 00:21:41,489 --> 00:21:43,433 Europe , I just don't have more to 548 00:21:43,433 --> 00:21:45,433 provide at this time . Um Next up , 549 00:21:45,433 --> 00:21:47,545 I'll go . Oh , sorry . Did you have a 550 00:21:47,545 --> 00:21:49,545 follow up ? Yeah , it's just really 551 00:21:49,545 --> 00:21:51,489 quickly not , can you say anything 552 00:21:51,489 --> 00:21:53,656 about not whether or not you will make 553 00:21:53,656 --> 00:21:55,822 any changes to the force posture ? But 554 00:21:55,822 --> 00:21:57,933 whether or not you guys interpret the 555 00:21:57,933 --> 00:21:59,959 suspension as allowing the United 556 00:21:59,969 --> 00:22:01,691 States to take actions that it 557 00:22:01,691 --> 00:22:03,580 previously was not able to take , 558 00:22:03,580 --> 00:22:05,747 that's sort of what I'm getting at . I 559 00:22:05,747 --> 00:22:08,080 see , I wouldn't , I wouldn't go so far . 560 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:10,247 Um , uh , to say that I , again , this 561 00:22:10,247 --> 00:22:12,619 was in response to Russia withdrawing 562 00:22:12,630 --> 00:22:14,297 from the CFE . And so we took 563 00:22:14,297 --> 00:22:16,463 appropriate action as well . Uh , next 564 00:22:16,463 --> 00:22:19,630 up , I'll go to Lara Sman Politico . Hi , 565 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,862 Serena . Thanks for doing this . Just , 566 00:22:21,862 --> 00:22:24,029 um , on the Tuberville situation . You 567 00:22:24,029 --> 00:22:27,010 said that that number of , uh , hold of 568 00:22:27,020 --> 00:22:29,280 nominations on hold is 452 . Now , 569 00:22:29,290 --> 00:22:32,250 previously , uh , we were at 379 I 570 00:22:32,260 --> 00:22:34,482 think what is the reason for the jump ? 571 00:22:34,550 --> 00:22:36,606 Uh , no problem . So , I'm sorry , I 572 00:22:36,606 --> 00:22:38,717 should have in my , when I was making 573 00:22:38,717 --> 00:22:40,828 my remarks , I should have noted that 574 00:22:40,828 --> 00:22:43,050 we had more submissions to the Senate , 575 00:22:43,050 --> 00:22:45,217 I believe yesterday . So those numbers 576 00:22:45,217 --> 00:22:47,106 are , um , the most updated as of 577 00:22:47,106 --> 00:22:49,439 November 6th and also take into account , 578 00:22:49,439 --> 00:22:51,328 um , the three , general and flag 579 00:22:51,334 --> 00:22:53,223 officers that we were able to get 580 00:22:53,223 --> 00:22:55,349 confirmed . Um , I believe last 581 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:58,260 Thursday . Ok . Thank you . And just a 582 00:22:58,270 --> 00:23:00,492 follow up . Can you tell us the updated 583 00:23:00,492 --> 00:23:02,890 number , total number of injuries to us 584 00:23:02,900 --> 00:23:05,430 service members ? Is it still 45 or is 585 00:23:05,439 --> 00:23:09,119 it 46 ? Um , so it is , uh , a total of 586 00:23:09,130 --> 00:23:11,880 46 that General Ryder , I believe , 587 00:23:11,890 --> 00:23:14,199 also briefed um , yesterday , there was 588 00:23:14,209 --> 00:23:16,569 no change from yesterday until today . 589 00:23:16,650 --> 00:23:20,310 Um , and that includes the 25 cases of 590 00:23:20,319 --> 00:23:22,375 TB I that we had mentioned yesterday 591 00:23:22,375 --> 00:23:26,050 and then 21 . Um , non TB 592 00:23:26,060 --> 00:23:29,890 I uh not significant uh injuries . Um , 593 00:23:29,900 --> 00:23:32,122 ok , I'll come back in the room . Hey , 594 00:23:32,122 --> 00:23:34,122 Natasha . Yeah . Hey , so , uh John 595 00:23:34,122 --> 00:23:36,430 Kirby over at the NSE yesterday , he , 596 00:23:36,439 --> 00:23:38,383 when he was talking about Israel's 597 00:23:38,383 --> 00:23:40,383 efforts to minimize casualties , he 598 00:23:40,383 --> 00:23:42,839 said that we have seen some indications 599 00:23:42,849 --> 00:23:45,119 that there are efforts being applied in 600 00:23:45,130 --> 00:23:47,359 certain scenarios to try to minimize 601 00:23:47,589 --> 00:23:49,756 the amount of civilian casualties as a 602 00:23:49,756 --> 00:23:51,867 part of Israel's operations in Gaza , 603 00:23:51,867 --> 00:23:53,978 that seemed like a very kind of tepid 604 00:23:53,978 --> 00:23:56,145 endorsement of the efforts that Israel 605 00:23:56,145 --> 00:23:57,922 is making to actually avoid the 606 00:23:57,922 --> 00:24:00,145 civilian casualties . And it seems like 607 00:24:00,145 --> 00:24:02,256 kind of a shift in tone as well . And 608 00:24:02,256 --> 00:24:04,367 so I'm wondering whether the Pentagon 609 00:24:04,367 --> 00:24:06,478 feels like agrees with Kirby in terms 610 00:24:06,478 --> 00:24:08,645 of there being efforts to applied only 611 00:24:08,645 --> 00:24:10,867 in certain scenarios to try to minimize 612 00:24:10,867 --> 00:24:13,089 casualties or if there's a broad effort 613 00:24:13,089 --> 00:24:13,020 by the Israelis to try to minimize them 614 00:24:13,030 --> 00:24:15,086 in every circumstance . Yeah , I , I 615 00:24:15,086 --> 00:24:17,310 don't disagree with what , um Kirby 616 00:24:17,319 --> 00:24:20,729 said , you said yesterday . Um , we are 617 00:24:20,739 --> 00:24:23,040 being very direct and um , uh 618 00:24:23,050 --> 00:24:25,161 continuing to have , you know , daily 619 00:24:25,170 --> 00:24:27,281 conversations , not just here at this 620 00:24:27,281 --> 00:24:29,448 building in this building , but across 621 00:24:29,448 --> 00:24:31,614 the administration , um about the need 622 00:24:31,614 --> 00:24:34,119 for Israel to reduce civilian 623 00:24:34,130 --> 00:24:36,660 casualties . Um So I , I don't dispute 624 00:24:36,670 --> 00:24:38,448 that statement , I think that's 625 00:24:38,448 --> 00:24:40,559 accurate . Um And we're continuing to 626 00:24:40,559 --> 00:24:42,726 engage with the , with the Israelis on 627 00:24:42,726 --> 00:24:44,948 their targeting of operations . Again , 628 00:24:44,948 --> 00:24:46,837 it's their decisions , it's their 629 00:24:46,837 --> 00:24:50,250 targets that they are um , uh choosing , 630 00:24:50,300 --> 00:24:52,880 but we can continue as any good partner 631 00:24:52,890 --> 00:24:55,630 would to raise any concerns that we 632 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:58,459 might have and continuing also in any 633 00:24:58,469 --> 00:25:00,358 hostage recovery efforts . But it 634 00:25:00,358 --> 00:25:02,302 doesn't seem to you like there's a 635 00:25:02,302 --> 00:25:04,358 concerted effort across the board by 636 00:25:04,358 --> 00:25:04,310 the Israeli military to take into 637 00:25:04,319 --> 00:25:07,089 consideration the amount of casualties 638 00:25:07,099 --> 00:25:09,210 that might result civilian casualties 639 00:25:09,210 --> 00:25:11,543 that might result from these airstrikes . 640 00:25:11,543 --> 00:25:13,377 I mean , Kirby said it's only in 641 00:25:13,377 --> 00:25:15,543 certain scenarios and some indications 642 00:25:15,543 --> 00:25:15,489 that they're doing that . I think again , 643 00:25:15,500 --> 00:25:17,667 we're going to continue to engage with 644 00:25:17,667 --> 00:25:19,556 our Israeli counterparts from the 645 00:25:19,556 --> 00:25:21,444 secretary's level and across this 646 00:25:21,444 --> 00:25:23,556 administration to urge them to really 647 00:25:23,556 --> 00:25:26,339 reduce any civilian casualties . I mean , 648 00:25:26,479 --> 00:25:29,050 again , any , you've heard it from , 649 00:25:29,060 --> 00:25:31,227 from here , but just to say it again , 650 00:25:31,227 --> 00:25:33,209 any loss of life , any civilian 651 00:25:33,219 --> 00:25:36,979 casualty is horrific . Uh , we mourn 652 00:25:36,989 --> 00:25:39,280 those losses . Um And that's why we've 653 00:25:39,290 --> 00:25:41,346 been very clear in our conversations 654 00:25:41,346 --> 00:25:43,512 with the Israelis of , of , you know , 655 00:25:43,989 --> 00:25:45,989 I mean , that's why you saw General 656 00:25:45,989 --> 00:25:48,650 Glenn on the ground in Israel a few 657 00:25:48,660 --> 00:25:50,882 maybe . Uh , I think it was last week , 658 00:25:50,882 --> 00:25:52,938 someone that has experience in urban 659 00:25:52,938 --> 00:25:54,993 warfare , um , that can talk through 660 00:25:54,993 --> 00:25:57,160 the lessons learned from Afghanistan , 661 00:25:57,160 --> 00:25:59,640 from Iraq . Um And you know , ensuring 662 00:25:59,650 --> 00:26:01,539 that as the Israelis are thinking 663 00:26:01,539 --> 00:26:03,650 through their operations that they're 664 00:26:03,650 --> 00:26:05,761 considering um , innocent civilians , 665 00:26:05,761 --> 00:26:08,199 civilian casualties as they do their 666 00:26:08,209 --> 00:26:12,069 targeting Sabrina . So 667 00:26:12,079 --> 00:26:14,079 this is on Israel . These were some 668 00:26:14,079 --> 00:26:16,135 comments last week from Senator Rand 669 00:26:16,135 --> 00:26:18,079 Paul . He asked the question , I'm 670 00:26:18,079 --> 00:26:20,246 quoting him here as more civilians die 671 00:26:20,246 --> 00:26:22,468 in Gaza , there's always the question , 672 00:26:22,468 --> 00:26:24,690 are 10 new terrorists created for every 673 00:26:24,690 --> 00:26:26,801 civilian that was killed . You know , 674 00:26:26,801 --> 00:26:26,560 the implication being , if you bomb 675 00:26:26,569 --> 00:26:28,736 someone's home , you kill their family 676 00:26:28,736 --> 00:26:30,347 member , they're more easily 677 00:26:30,347 --> 00:26:32,458 radicalized and then , you know , can 678 00:26:32,458 --> 00:26:34,569 join a terrorist group like Hamas and 679 00:26:34,569 --> 00:26:36,680 want to retaliate against Israel . So 680 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:38,791 what is the Pentagon's concern that , 681 00:26:38,791 --> 00:26:40,902 you know , this course of action with 682 00:26:40,902 --> 00:26:43,013 the high civilian casualty rate could 683 00:26:43,013 --> 00:26:44,847 actually be counterproductive to 684 00:26:44,847 --> 00:26:46,958 Israel's national security . Well , I 685 00:26:46,958 --> 00:26:46,729 can't speak to what can happen in the 686 00:26:46,739 --> 00:26:49,510 future and what this means . But what I 687 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:53,319 can say is again , uh we unequivocally 688 00:26:53,410 --> 00:26:55,632 uh stand for the protection of civilian 689 00:26:55,632 --> 00:26:58,099 lives within Gaza . Um and during any 690 00:26:58,109 --> 00:27:01,040 armed conflict , um I don't really have 691 00:27:01,050 --> 00:27:03,579 a response to Senator Rand as that , 692 00:27:03,589 --> 00:27:05,811 you know , as that's , you know , going 693 00:27:05,811 --> 00:27:07,922 a little further and looking into the 694 00:27:07,922 --> 00:27:09,867 future and I just , I can't really 695 00:27:09,867 --> 00:27:09,655 comment on that . Yeah , one last , one 696 00:27:09,834 --> 00:27:12,064 cousin , I'm sorry , you had one too . 697 00:27:12,074 --> 00:27:14,734 I'll come to you next . Thanks . So you 698 00:27:14,744 --> 00:27:16,895 mentioned , you know , the first step 699 00:27:16,905 --> 00:27:18,905 in the Pentagon's conversation with 700 00:27:18,905 --> 00:27:20,964 Israel regarding allegations of 701 00:27:20,974 --> 00:27:22,918 civilian casualties is to open the 702 00:27:22,918 --> 00:27:25,085 dialogue and you've been raising these 703 00:27:25,085 --> 00:27:27,141 concerns with them . What's the next 704 00:27:27,141 --> 00:27:29,085 step , you know , has the Pentagon 705 00:27:29,085 --> 00:27:31,252 thought about what the next step would 706 00:27:31,252 --> 00:27:33,141 be if these conversations are not 707 00:27:33,141 --> 00:27:35,418 productive . That is there a next step ? 708 00:27:35,418 --> 00:27:37,585 Well , pull the thread for me a little 709 00:27:37,585 --> 00:27:39,696 bit more . So like in terms of what , 710 00:27:39,696 --> 00:27:41,696 like in the next week , two weeks ? 711 00:27:41,696 --> 00:27:43,918 Like , are you putting a timeline on it 712 00:27:43,918 --> 00:27:46,030 or just generally like , ok , because 713 00:27:46,030 --> 00:27:47,918 it seems like we're still getting 714 00:27:47,918 --> 00:27:49,918 reports of civilian casualties . So 715 00:27:49,918 --> 00:27:52,550 this does not seem to be abating as 716 00:27:52,560 --> 00:27:54,560 Natasha mentioned , you know , John 717 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:56,616 Kirby's statements are not exactly a 718 00:27:56,616 --> 00:27:58,560 full throated endorsement of these 719 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:00,727 efforts . So what's the next step ? So 720 00:28:00,727 --> 00:28:02,838 I can't speak to exactly what's going 721 00:28:02,838 --> 00:28:02,439 to happen next steps in terms of 722 00:28:02,449 --> 00:28:04,505 operationally on the ground . What I 723 00:28:04,505 --> 00:28:07,099 can speak to is again , our engagement , 724 00:28:07,229 --> 00:28:10,510 our , um you know , are continuing to 725 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:12,390 underscore the compliance with 726 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:14,511 international law , with humanitarian 727 00:28:14,511 --> 00:28:16,733 law . Um And we're going to continue to 728 00:28:16,733 --> 00:28:18,900 do so both publicly and privately . Um 729 00:28:18,900 --> 00:28:21,011 That's what I see us continuing to do 730 00:28:21,011 --> 00:28:23,233 down the road no matter how this goes . 731 00:28:23,233 --> 00:28:25,400 And um again , we're going to continue 732 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:27,511 to have very frank conversations . Um 733 00:28:27,511 --> 00:28:29,733 That's something that , you know , good 734 00:28:29,733 --> 00:28:31,956 partners do and uh I , I don't see that 735 00:28:31,956 --> 00:28:34,289 stopping anytime soon . Yeah , last one . 736 00:28:34,289 --> 00:28:37,199 Thanks . Um On the same line of inquiry , 737 00:28:37,209 --> 00:28:39,098 um , you mentioned that if we see 738 00:28:39,098 --> 00:28:41,209 something that raises concern , we're 739 00:28:41,209 --> 00:28:43,209 not going to hesitate to raise that 740 00:28:43,209 --> 00:28:45,431 directly . Um Has the department raised 741 00:28:45,431 --> 00:28:45,030 any specific points of concern with the 742 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,096 Israelis ? What is their , uh how do 743 00:28:47,096 --> 00:28:49,207 you judge their response ? And is the 744 00:28:49,207 --> 00:28:51,151 department requesting or receiving 745 00:28:51,151 --> 00:28:53,373 evidence that would say justify Israeli 746 00:28:53,373 --> 00:28:55,373 strikes that have targeted civilian 747 00:28:55,373 --> 00:28:57,484 infra infrastructure ? Like the , for 748 00:28:57,484 --> 00:28:59,707 example , the ambulance that was bombed 749 00:28:59,707 --> 00:29:01,707 near the Shiva Hospital last week . 750 00:29:01,707 --> 00:29:03,929 Yeah , so um appreciate the question as 751 00:29:03,929 --> 00:29:05,984 you can also probably appreciate not 752 00:29:05,984 --> 00:29:08,207 going to get into more specific details 753 00:29:08,207 --> 00:29:10,373 of private conversations . We have put 754 00:29:10,373 --> 00:29:12,373 out multiple readouts after , after 755 00:29:12,373 --> 00:29:14,596 every call that the second has not just 756 00:29:14,596 --> 00:29:16,429 with Minister Gallant , but with 757 00:29:16,429 --> 00:29:18,540 partners in the region as well . Um I 758 00:29:18,540 --> 00:29:20,873 think you'll see a , a common thread in , 759 00:29:20,873 --> 00:29:22,707 in all of those readouts that we 760 00:29:22,707 --> 00:29:24,974 continue to urge Israel to uphold the 761 00:29:24,984 --> 00:29:27,574 uphold humanitarian laws and abide by 762 00:29:27,625 --> 00:29:29,785 the law of armed conflict . Um , but 763 00:29:29,795 --> 00:29:31,684 I'm gonna let those conversations 764 00:29:31,684 --> 00:29:33,935 remain private . Great . Ok . Thanks 765 00:29:33,944 --> 00:29:34,234 all .