1 00:00:03,230 --> 00:00:05,397 Good afternoon , everyone . I hope you 2 00:00:05,397 --> 00:00:07,909 had a restful Thanksgiving holiday . I 3 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:10,142 have just a few things to get to at the 4 00:00:10,142 --> 00:00:11,920 top and we'll get right to your 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:13,920 questions today . The United States 6 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,559 airlifted 24.5 metric tons or more than 7 00:00:17,569 --> 00:00:21,219 £54,000 of un humanitarian supplies to 8 00:00:21,229 --> 00:00:23,590 provide vitally needed medical supplies , 9 00:00:23,940 --> 00:00:25,996 warm clothing and food and nutrition 10 00:00:25,996 --> 00:00:28,209 assistance to the people of Gaza . At 11 00:00:28,219 --> 00:00:31,120 the request of USA ID , these supplies 12 00:00:31,129 --> 00:00:33,840 were transported via A US Air Force C 13 00:00:33,849 --> 00:00:36,619 17 Globemaster aircraft and arrived 14 00:00:36,630 --> 00:00:38,519 today in Egypt where they will be 15 00:00:38,519 --> 00:00:41,009 transported via ground into Gaza and 16 00:00:41,020 --> 00:00:43,220 then distributed by un agencies . 17 00:00:43,860 --> 00:00:46,027 Additional flights are expected in the 18 00:00:46,027 --> 00:00:48,249 coming days and this aid is in addition 19 00:00:48,249 --> 00:00:50,193 to the more than £500,000 of food 20 00:00:50,193 --> 00:00:52,138 assistance delivered by the United 21 00:00:52,138 --> 00:00:54,270 States last week via USA . ID 22 00:00:54,279 --> 00:00:57,400 contracted aircraft to Al Arish Egypt 23 00:00:57,409 --> 00:00:59,610 for onward travel to Gaza . For more 24 00:00:59,619 --> 00:01:01,952 information about these ongoing efforts . 25 00:01:01,952 --> 00:01:03,619 I would refer you to USA ID . 26 00:01:03,689 --> 00:01:05,911 Separately secretary Austin will travel 27 00:01:05,911 --> 00:01:08,133 to California December 1 through second 28 00:01:08,199 --> 00:01:10,366 on Friday . He will host the Australia 29 00:01:10,370 --> 00:01:12,279 uh host Australia's Deputy Prime 30 00:01:12,290 --> 00:01:14,123 Minister and Minister of Defense 31 00:01:14,123 --> 00:01:16,349 Richard Marles and U K's Secretary of 32 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,193 State for Defense grant shops at 33 00:01:18,193 --> 00:01:20,449 Moffett field to discuss the Australia 34 00:01:20,459 --> 00:01:22,681 United Kingdom , United States Security 35 00:01:22,681 --> 00:01:25,910 Partnership or Aus on the campus of Dod 36 00:01:25,919 --> 00:01:28,580 S Defense Innovation Unit . The 37 00:01:28,589 --> 00:01:30,870 Secretary also spend time with diu 38 00:01:30,879 --> 00:01:32,989 personnel who are accelerating the 39 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:34,722 adoption of leading commercial 40 00:01:34,722 --> 00:01:36,833 technology throughout the US military 41 00:01:36,833 --> 00:01:38,722 and growing the national security 42 00:01:38,722 --> 00:01:41,099 innovation base . Secretary , Austin 43 00:01:41,110 --> 00:01:43,150 will then travel to Simi Valley to 44 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:45,271 deliver a keynote address on Saturday 45 00:01:45,271 --> 00:01:47,889 at the 2023 Reagan National Defense 46 00:01:47,900 --> 00:01:50,500 Forum where he will emphasize America's 47 00:01:50,510 --> 00:01:52,677 global leadership and strength at home 48 00:01:52,677 --> 00:01:54,860 at a time of testing , as well as the 49 00:01:54,870 --> 00:01:57,037 department's efforts to build enduring 50 00:01:57,037 --> 00:01:59,148 advantages through accelerating force 51 00:01:59,148 --> 00:02:01,037 development , capitalizing on the 52 00:02:01,037 --> 00:02:02,648 latest technology and making 53 00:02:02,648 --> 00:02:04,926 investments in the department's people . 54 00:02:04,926 --> 00:02:07,037 The trip announcement with additional 55 00:02:07,037 --> 00:02:08,926 details will be posted to the dod 56 00:02:08,926 --> 00:02:11,148 website today and with that , I'm happy 57 00:02:11,148 --> 00:02:13,203 to take your questions . We'll start 58 00:02:13,203 --> 00:02:16,389 with associated Press T up Ryder . 59 00:02:16,399 --> 00:02:18,621 Thanks for doing this . Um Just on that 60 00:02:18,621 --> 00:02:20,621 aid shipment is that the first time 61 00:02:20,621 --> 00:02:22,677 that A US military aircraft has been 62 00:02:22,677 --> 00:02:26,039 used to fly uh aid to for 63 00:02:26,050 --> 00:02:28,750 Gazans ? Yes , that is correct 64 00:02:30,339 --> 00:02:32,450 in terms of humanitarian assistance . 65 00:02:33,740 --> 00:02:35,796 I'm sorry , in terms of humanitarian 66 00:02:35,796 --> 00:02:38,990 assistance , aid , correct ? Ok . And 67 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,690 then secondly , um with the cease fire 68 00:02:41,699 --> 00:02:43,866 announcement , it seems like there has 69 00:02:43,866 --> 00:02:46,229 been no attacks on us bases in Iraq and 70 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:50,080 Syria since last week . Have uh our 71 00:02:50,110 --> 00:02:52,166 facilities , have they been reaching 72 00:02:52,166 --> 00:02:55,070 out at all to groups in the area to 73 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:57,610 make sure that that peace lasts or is 74 00:02:57,619 --> 00:03:00,639 there any communication at all ? Thanks 75 00:03:00,649 --> 00:03:02,593 Tara . So uh as you highlight , uh 76 00:03:02,593 --> 00:03:05,350 there have been no attacks on us forces 77 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,500 in Iraq and Syria since November 23rd , 78 00:03:08,679 --> 00:03:12,100 uh since the operational pause began in 79 00:03:12,399 --> 00:03:16,000 Israel , uh again , our forces are 80 00:03:16,009 --> 00:03:18,231 there for one reason and that's to stay 81 00:03:18,231 --> 00:03:20,287 focused on the defeat ISIS mission . 82 00:03:20,287 --> 00:03:23,630 And so uh we will continue to focus on 83 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:25,750 that mission as well as ensuring that 84 00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:27,972 our forces are protected . Should there 85 00:03:27,972 --> 00:03:30,240 be any additional attacks ? We would 86 00:03:30,250 --> 00:03:32,583 certainly hope that that's not the case , 87 00:03:32,583 --> 00:03:34,528 but we will be prepared to respond 88 00:03:34,528 --> 00:03:36,750 accordingly if there are any additional 89 00:03:36,750 --> 00:03:38,972 attacks on our forces . All right , let 90 00:03:38,972 --> 00:03:41,250 me go back to the room here , Jennifer . 91 00:03:41,250 --> 00:03:43,417 Um Pat , I'd like to ask you about the 92 00:03:43,417 --> 00:03:45,528 ballistic missiles that were fired by 93 00:03:45,528 --> 00:03:47,694 the Houthis . Um , just on Sunday . Do 94 00:03:47,694 --> 00:03:49,899 you consider that the US Navy was the 95 00:03:49,910 --> 00:03:52,259 target of those missiles ? And what 96 00:03:52,270 --> 00:03:54,460 evidence do you have that they were or 97 00:03:54,470 --> 00:03:57,820 weren't ? And why is the US not 98 00:03:57,830 --> 00:04:00,130 responding to these kind of persistent 99 00:04:00,470 --> 00:04:04,160 probing of US forces ? So , a couple 100 00:04:04,169 --> 00:04:06,002 updates on that front . So as it 101 00:04:06,002 --> 00:04:09,479 pertains to the uh the incident with 102 00:04:09,490 --> 00:04:11,410 the the missiles right now , our 103 00:04:11,419 --> 00:04:13,530 current analysis is that we know that 104 00:04:13,530 --> 00:04:15,697 there was at least one missile fired . 105 00:04:15,869 --> 00:04:17,813 We're continuing to look into that 106 00:04:17,813 --> 00:04:20,036 whether it was one or two , but we know 107 00:04:20,036 --> 00:04:22,147 that there was at least one missile . 108 00:04:22,147 --> 00:04:24,258 Um And we also at this point , assess 109 00:04:24,258 --> 00:04:26,480 that the , the vessels uh the Mason and 110 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,279 the Central Park were not the intended 111 00:04:29,290 --> 00:04:32,200 targets . Uh That said , uh I can't 112 00:04:32,290 --> 00:04:35,000 speak for what the intended targets 113 00:04:35,290 --> 00:04:38,200 target was . Uh And would have to refer 114 00:04:38,209 --> 00:04:40,376 you to the , the Houthi rebels to talk 115 00:04:40,376 --> 00:04:42,679 to that . But how can you say that the 116 00:04:42,690 --> 00:04:46,459 US S Mason or Central Park were not the 117 00:04:46,470 --> 00:04:48,470 target ? What would be the target ? 118 00:04:48,579 --> 00:04:50,301 That's a great question . It's 119 00:04:50,301 --> 00:04:52,246 something that we're continuing to 120 00:04:52,246 --> 00:04:54,246 analyze as , as you've heard us say 121 00:04:54,246 --> 00:04:55,746 this , this missile landed 122 00:04:55,746 --> 00:04:57,801 approximately 10 nautical miles away 123 00:04:57,801 --> 00:05:00,390 from these vessels . Um But again , 124 00:05:00,399 --> 00:05:02,621 current assessment right now is that it 125 00:05:02,621 --> 00:05:04,732 was not specific , the ships were not 126 00:05:04,732 --> 00:05:06,843 specifically being targeted is the US 127 00:05:06,843 --> 00:05:09,570 planning any sort of military action 128 00:05:09,579 --> 00:05:11,746 against the Houthis . Well , look when 129 00:05:11,746 --> 00:05:13,968 it , when it comes to our forces , as I 130 00:05:13,968 --> 00:05:13,820 highlighted , we're going to do 131 00:05:13,829 --> 00:05:15,940 whatever we need to do to ensure that 132 00:05:15,940 --> 00:05:18,107 they stay protected . I'm not going to 133 00:05:18,107 --> 00:05:20,218 telegraph or forecast or speculate on 134 00:05:20,218 --> 00:05:22,649 any potential strikes that we might 135 00:05:22,660 --> 00:05:24,882 take in the region other than to say we 136 00:05:24,882 --> 00:05:27,104 will do what's necessary to protect our 137 00:05:27,104 --> 00:05:29,327 forces . The IRGC released some footage 138 00:05:29,327 --> 00:05:31,559 of some drone video of the USS 139 00:05:31,570 --> 00:05:33,681 Eisenhower passing through the Strait 140 00:05:33,681 --> 00:05:36,010 of Hormuz . Were you aware that there 141 00:05:36,019 --> 00:05:39,160 was an Iranian drone up above the I ? 142 00:05:39,529 --> 00:05:41,529 Yeah , I'm aware of those reports . 143 00:05:41,529 --> 00:05:43,585 We're looking into that and so don't 144 00:05:43,585 --> 00:05:45,696 have anything to pass along now . But 145 00:05:45,696 --> 00:05:45,279 if we do . We certainly will let you 146 00:05:45,290 --> 00:05:48,239 know . Thank you . Sure . Sure . Um 147 00:05:48,290 --> 00:05:50,540 Yesterday , senior administration 148 00:05:50,549 --> 00:05:53,989 officials uh said that the Israeli , 149 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:56,222 the anticipated Israeli campaign in the 150 00:05:56,222 --> 00:05:58,470 South and southern Gaza can't be the 151 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,149 same uh as , as it was in the north in 152 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,959 terms of the number of people that were 153 00:06:03,970 --> 00:06:06,470 displaced and in terms of the targeting 154 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,500 of uh hospitals , uh water and power 155 00:06:10,239 --> 00:06:13,440 and un supported shelters . Can you 156 00:06:13,450 --> 00:06:15,617 speak to any of the conversations that 157 00:06:15,617 --> 00:06:17,783 the secretary has had with his Israeli 158 00:06:17,790 --> 00:06:20,012 counterparts on that on that front ? Or 159 00:06:20,012 --> 00:06:22,012 can you elaborate on sure , without 160 00:06:22,012 --> 00:06:23,901 getting into the specifics of the 161 00:06:23,901 --> 00:06:25,734 conversations you've seen in the 162 00:06:25,734 --> 00:06:27,957 readouts that we've issued that a topic 163 00:06:27,957 --> 00:06:30,123 of discussion between Secretary Austin 164 00:06:30,123 --> 00:06:32,123 and the Israeli Minister of Defense 165 00:06:32,123 --> 00:06:34,049 continues to be the importance of 166 00:06:34,059 --> 00:06:36,059 conducting operations in accordance 167 00:06:36,059 --> 00:06:37,892 with the law of armed conflict , 168 00:06:37,892 --> 00:06:40,059 protecting civilians and ensuring that 169 00:06:40,059 --> 00:06:42,115 aid does get into Gaza . And so that 170 00:06:42,115 --> 00:06:44,003 will continue to be a focus going 171 00:06:44,003 --> 00:06:46,115 forward . We certainly do not want to 172 00:06:46,115 --> 00:06:48,281 see innocent civilians being harmed or 173 00:06:48,281 --> 00:06:51,059 impacted to a greater extent than they 174 00:06:51,070 --> 00:06:53,070 have been already . And so that I'm 175 00:06:53,079 --> 00:06:55,301 sure will continue to be a focus of our 176 00:06:55,301 --> 00:06:57,412 conversation on share that assessment 177 00:06:57,412 --> 00:06:59,579 that whatever if there's a campaign in 178 00:06:59,579 --> 00:07:01,912 the South Israeli campaign in the South , 179 00:07:01,912 --> 00:07:04,023 that it cannot be the same as carried 180 00:07:04,023 --> 00:07:06,246 out the same way it was . So it would , 181 00:07:06,246 --> 00:07:08,357 it would be inappropriate for me from 182 00:07:08,357 --> 00:07:10,468 the podium as a military spokesman to 183 00:07:10,468 --> 00:07:12,690 start talking about ID F operations and 184 00:07:12,690 --> 00:07:14,801 what , what they should and shouldn't 185 00:07:14,801 --> 00:07:17,023 do on the ground . Certainly it's their 186 00:07:17,023 --> 00:07:19,246 operation . Um , but again , within the 187 00:07:19,246 --> 00:07:18,679 contours of understanding the 188 00:07:18,690 --> 00:07:21,420 importance of protecting civilian lives , 189 00:07:21,429 --> 00:07:23,485 innocent civilian lives while at the 190 00:07:23,485 --> 00:07:25,820 same time , going after the terrorist 191 00:07:25,829 --> 00:07:28,179 group , Hamas that inflicted pain and 192 00:07:28,190 --> 00:07:30,190 suffering , not only on the Israeli 193 00:07:30,190 --> 00:07:32,468 people , but on the Palestinian people . 194 00:07:32,468 --> 00:07:34,579 Uh , you know , that will continue to 195 00:07:34,579 --> 00:07:36,746 be a priority for us . Let me Haley so 196 00:07:36,746 --> 00:07:38,801 much . Um I wanna ask about the um , 197 00:07:38,801 --> 00:07:41,023 source members and the TB is that we've 198 00:07:41,023 --> 00:07:43,134 seen over the last several weeks . Um 199 00:07:43,134 --> 00:07:45,357 Do you believe that everyone who may be 200 00:07:45,357 --> 00:07:47,412 experiencing that has come forward ? 201 00:07:47,412 --> 00:07:49,579 Are you seeing any more people maybe , 202 00:07:49,579 --> 00:07:51,634 um , asking to get screened and then 203 00:07:51,634 --> 00:07:51,440 just given sort of the persistent 204 00:07:51,450 --> 00:07:53,783 nature that we've seen of these attacks ? 205 00:07:53,783 --> 00:07:55,950 Is there any proactive screening being 206 00:07:55,950 --> 00:07:55,839 done instead of just waiting for people 207 00:07:55,850 --> 00:07:58,017 to come to you but going to them and , 208 00:07:58,017 --> 00:08:00,072 and , you know , sort of giving them 209 00:08:00,072 --> 00:08:02,128 the information to know that if they 210 00:08:02,128 --> 00:08:04,350 can tell if something is wrong . Yeah , 211 00:08:04,350 --> 00:08:03,489 thanks Haley . So I don't , I don't 212 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:05,829 have any uh new updates provide in 213 00:08:05,839 --> 00:08:08,269 terms of uh folks , you know , in Iraq 214 00:08:08,279 --> 00:08:11,339 and Syria that , that um have been 215 00:08:11,350 --> 00:08:13,572 diagnosed with TB is , you know , we've 216 00:08:13,572 --> 00:08:15,683 been providing that information as it 217 00:08:15,683 --> 00:08:17,628 becomes available . Uh History has 218 00:08:17,628 --> 00:08:19,683 shown experience has shown that that 219 00:08:19,683 --> 00:08:22,140 sometimes there are uh latent uh 220 00:08:22,149 --> 00:08:24,200 symptoms and so service members 221 00:08:24,209 --> 00:08:26,209 certainly are screened , especially 222 00:08:26,209 --> 00:08:28,431 when you're in a deployed environment . 223 00:08:28,431 --> 00:08:28,049 You know , whether that be self 224 00:08:28,079 --> 00:08:30,920 reporting , uh or uh whether you know 225 00:08:30,929 --> 00:08:33,096 your your teammates notice something . 226 00:08:33,096 --> 00:08:34,929 So that's something that we will 227 00:08:34,929 --> 00:08:36,873 continue to stay on top of . But I 228 00:08:36,873 --> 00:08:38,985 don't have any new numbers to provide 229 00:08:38,985 --> 00:08:38,619 beyond what we've already passed along 230 00:08:38,630 --> 00:08:40,989 to you . Thanks . Go over here , Megan 231 00:08:41,390 --> 00:08:45,218 or Aaron , sorry . So uh us 232 00:08:45,229 --> 00:08:47,848 space com has stated the satellite that 233 00:08:47,859 --> 00:08:50,799 uh North Korea um launched 234 00:08:50,809 --> 00:08:54,629 did uh enters orbit . 235 00:08:54,778 --> 00:08:57,000 So can you state that the satellite was 236 00:08:57,158 --> 00:09:00,169 a success ? Yeah , thanks Erin . Uh So 237 00:09:00,179 --> 00:09:03,059 we are aware that uh the D Pr Ks launch 238 00:09:03,068 --> 00:09:06,299 of a space launch vehicle . Um Did you 239 00:09:06,309 --> 00:09:09,109 know was conducted ? Um We , we're uh 240 00:09:09,119 --> 00:09:12,568 aware that it did uh enter into 241 00:09:12,578 --> 00:09:16,349 orbit um and um that it 242 00:09:16,359 --> 00:09:18,581 involved ballistic missile technology . 243 00:09:18,581 --> 00:09:20,637 Um But beyond that , at this point , 244 00:09:20,637 --> 00:09:22,803 I'm not gonna have any further details 245 00:09:22,803 --> 00:09:24,581 provided there seems to be some 246 00:09:24,581 --> 00:09:26,929 discrepancy because uh since it did in 247 00:09:26,940 --> 00:09:30,020 our orbit , what constitutes a 248 00:09:30,030 --> 00:09:33,599 successful launch . Um Well , I 249 00:09:33,609 --> 00:09:35,989 I'll leave it to others to define 250 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,222 successful on your question . Was , did 251 00:09:38,222 --> 00:09:41,539 it go into orbit ? Uh And so again , we , 252 00:09:41,549 --> 00:09:44,159 we do know that it went into orbit uh 253 00:09:44,169 --> 00:09:46,169 for something to go into orbit , it 254 00:09:46,169 --> 00:09:48,130 needs to escape , escape earth's 255 00:09:48,140 --> 00:09:51,179 gravity and be able to be sustained uh 256 00:09:51,190 --> 00:09:53,400 you know , in orbit around the earth . 257 00:09:53,409 --> 00:09:55,479 So uh really it would be up to the 258 00:09:55,489 --> 00:09:57,322 North Koreans to define what the 259 00:09:57,322 --> 00:09:59,545 parameters of this launch were and what 260 00:09:59,545 --> 00:10:01,600 they were hoping to achieve . Uh I'm 261 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:03,711 not gonna speak to that other than to 262 00:10:03,711 --> 00:10:05,822 say again , we do know that it's that 263 00:10:05,822 --> 00:10:07,989 it's in orbit . Uh We will continue to 264 00:10:07,989 --> 00:10:09,989 stay in close consultation with our 265 00:10:09,989 --> 00:10:12,100 Republic of Korea and Japanese allies 266 00:10:12,100 --> 00:10:14,267 as well as other regional partners and 267 00:10:14,267 --> 00:10:16,100 allies uh and , and monitor that 268 00:10:16,100 --> 00:10:18,267 closely . Thank you . Let me go to the 269 00:10:18,267 --> 00:10:17,760 phone here and I'll come back in the 270 00:10:17,770 --> 00:10:20,820 room . Uh Phil Stewart Reuters . Uh 271 00:10:20,830 --> 00:10:23,559 Yeah , hi . Uh Just trying to uh drill 272 00:10:23,570 --> 00:10:25,681 into the idea that the , so these two 273 00:10:25,681 --> 00:10:27,903 missiles or the missile or two missiles 274 00:10:27,903 --> 00:10:30,126 that were fired uh off . Y and that was 275 00:10:30,126 --> 00:10:32,459 just truly a coincidence then . Is that , 276 00:10:32,459 --> 00:10:34,403 is that the understanding ? Yeah , 277 00:10:34,403 --> 00:10:36,237 thanks , Phil . So I'm not gonna 278 00:10:36,237 --> 00:10:35,650 characterize it . I'm just gonna 279 00:10:35,659 --> 00:10:37,881 provide the facts as we know them and , 280 00:10:37,881 --> 00:10:40,103 and right now as we continue to analyze 281 00:10:40,103 --> 00:10:42,326 this , um as I mentioned , we are aware 282 00:10:42,326 --> 00:10:44,437 that there was at least one missile . 283 00:10:44,437 --> 00:10:46,270 Um And at this point , our , our 284 00:10:46,270 --> 00:10:48,659 assessment is that those ships were not 285 00:10:48,669 --> 00:10:51,450 specifically targeted uh as to what was 286 00:10:51,460 --> 00:10:53,404 being targeted . Uh Again , that's 287 00:10:53,404 --> 00:10:55,516 something that we'll continue to look 288 00:10:55,516 --> 00:10:57,627 into . Uh so that those are the facts 289 00:10:57,627 --> 00:10:59,793 as I have them right now . Ok , let me 290 00:10:59,793 --> 00:11:03,559 go to Jeff Shole . Thank 291 00:11:03,570 --> 00:11:06,650 you . Uh Given that the uh Pentagon is 292 00:11:06,659 --> 00:11:08,890 under a continuing resolution , is it 293 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:11,570 having to move funds from training and 294 00:11:11,580 --> 00:11:13,636 maintenance accounts in order to pay 295 00:11:13,636 --> 00:11:16,570 for operations such as deploying um 296 00:11:16,630 --> 00:11:19,330 aircraft carriers uh to the , the med 297 00:11:19,340 --> 00:11:21,669 and to the , the SECA mayor . 298 00:11:23,309 --> 00:11:26,130 Uh Thanks Jeff . So as you know , uh 299 00:11:26,140 --> 00:11:28,362 you know , training funds and operation 300 00:11:28,362 --> 00:11:30,140 and maintenance funds come from 301 00:11:30,140 --> 00:11:32,409 different pots of money um as it does 302 00:11:32,419 --> 00:11:34,830 relate to the situation in the Middle 303 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:37,950 East . Um We are , the military 304 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,450 departments are uh currently cash 305 00:11:40,460 --> 00:11:42,469 flowing those requirements from 306 00:11:42,479 --> 00:11:44,729 existing accounts with funding that was 307 00:11:44,739 --> 00:11:46,961 provided by the continuing resolution . 308 00:11:46,961 --> 00:11:49,219 And so as we go forward , uh the 309 00:11:49,229 --> 00:11:51,229 military departments and us Central 310 00:11:51,229 --> 00:11:53,469 Command uh will be assessing new 311 00:11:53,479 --> 00:11:55,646 requirements that support both current 312 00:11:55,646 --> 00:11:58,380 and future operations within this area 313 00:11:58,390 --> 00:12:01,020 of responsibility uh against previously 314 00:12:01,030 --> 00:12:03,250 planned requirements . And so uh that 315 00:12:03,260 --> 00:12:05,427 will be important work going forward . 316 00:12:05,450 --> 00:12:07,561 In the meantime , as you know , uh we 317 00:12:07,561 --> 00:12:09,728 have requested supplemental funding uh 318 00:12:09,849 --> 00:12:11,793 from the Congress . And so we will 319 00:12:11,793 --> 00:12:15,440 continue to stay uh uh in close contact 320 00:12:15,450 --> 00:12:17,561 uh with the hill to , to work through 321 00:12:17,561 --> 00:12:20,049 that . And of course , as always would 322 00:12:20,059 --> 00:12:23,669 advocate for a full year appropriation . 323 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:25,760 Thank you , come back into the room 324 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:29,330 here . So we were promised that the 325 00:12:29,340 --> 00:12:32,909 Pentagon would provide us with more 326 00:12:32,919 --> 00:12:35,090 information on the value and scope of 327 00:12:35,099 --> 00:12:37,840 us military assistance to Israel since 328 00:12:37,849 --> 00:12:40,016 October 7th . Is , is that information 329 00:12:40,016 --> 00:12:41,793 available to you now ? Thanks , 330 00:12:41,793 --> 00:12:44,020 certainly aware of the request and I 331 00:12:44,030 --> 00:12:46,340 can assure you that that is something 332 00:12:46,349 --> 00:12:48,460 we're taking seriously and continuing 333 00:12:48,460 --> 00:12:50,682 to work through as soon as we have that 334 00:12:50,682 --> 00:12:52,849 information to provide . We'll be sure 335 00:12:52,849 --> 00:12:54,960 to do that . Um And uh previously you 336 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,169 told us that there were us assets over 337 00:12:57,179 --> 00:13:01,039 Gaza doing ISR to help with 338 00:13:01,049 --> 00:13:04,599 hostage recovery . Is that activity 339 00:13:04,609 --> 00:13:07,520 continuing or did the US pause that 340 00:13:07,530 --> 00:13:10,320 activity as part of the operation pause 341 00:13:10,330 --> 00:13:13,450 in Gaza ? Yeah , thanks . So , in light 342 00:13:13,460 --> 00:13:15,900 of the operational pause , uh and in 343 00:13:15,909 --> 00:13:18,020 compliance with the agreement reached 344 00:13:18,020 --> 00:13:20,076 between Israel and Hamas , uh we are 345 00:13:20,076 --> 00:13:22,020 not currently conducting those ISR 346 00:13:22,020 --> 00:13:24,131 flights and so those have been paused 347 00:13:24,131 --> 00:13:26,076 for now . Thank you . Let me go to 348 00:13:26,076 --> 00:13:28,200 Nancy . I'll come back to you . I 349 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:30,344 wanted to ask for clarification on 350 00:13:30,344 --> 00:13:32,511 something earlier and then I follow up 351 00:13:32,511 --> 00:13:34,678 question . Uh What specifically is the 352 00:13:34,678 --> 00:13:36,844 US sent to Egypt and approximately how 353 00:13:36,844 --> 00:13:39,380 much is it worth in terms of the , the 354 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:43,429 humanitarian aid ? Sure . Uh so 355 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:45,551 as I understand it , and again USA ID 356 00:13:45,551 --> 00:13:47,662 can provide you much more detail . Uh 357 00:13:47,662 --> 00:13:49,884 It includes medical supplies to support 358 00:13:49,884 --> 00:13:52,107 the health system in Gaza . It includes 359 00:13:52,107 --> 00:13:54,280 ready to use food , uh foods for 360 00:13:54,289 --> 00:13:57,950 displaced populations . Uh It includes 361 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:01,710 uh clothing for the uh since winter is 362 00:14:01,719 --> 00:14:05,309 is upon us . And so , um 363 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:07,904 that's , that's essentially what's 364 00:14:07,904 --> 00:14:10,340 being provided at this point . I do not 365 00:14:10,770 --> 00:14:12,992 have a sense of when it could arrive in 366 00:14:12,992 --> 00:14:15,359 Gaza . It , well , it arrived in Egypt 367 00:14:15,369 --> 00:14:17,280 today . So , um uh you know , my 368 00:14:17,289 --> 00:14:19,233 assumption here is that it's being 369 00:14:19,233 --> 00:14:21,233 loaded onto vehicles now for ground 370 00:14:21,233 --> 00:14:23,456 delivery into Gaza . So , uh you know , 371 00:14:23,456 --> 00:14:25,511 very soon and , and as I mentioned , 372 00:14:25,511 --> 00:14:27,733 and we'll have more later on this , but 373 00:14:27,733 --> 00:14:29,845 there will be uh we expect additional 374 00:14:29,845 --> 00:14:31,956 flights in the coming days . So we'll 375 00:14:31,956 --> 00:14:31,900 certainly keep you updated on that . 376 00:14:31,909 --> 00:14:33,965 And so you did know the value , I do 377 00:14:33,965 --> 00:14:36,076 not know the value . And then you had 378 00:14:36,076 --> 00:14:38,719 said to f that you're still working on 379 00:14:38,729 --> 00:14:40,840 the number for how much equipment has 380 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:42,951 been provided to Israel . Why is it , 381 00:14:42,951 --> 00:14:44,951 can you give us a sense of why it's 382 00:14:44,951 --> 00:14:47,062 taken so long to get that approximate 383 00:14:47,062 --> 00:14:46,960 estimate ? I mean , with other 384 00:14:46,969 --> 00:14:49,080 conflicts most notably Ukraine , that 385 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,080 there has been a number that's been 386 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,302 available on a real time basis . Why is 387 00:14:53,302 --> 00:14:55,302 this different ? Yeah , thanks . So 388 00:14:55,302 --> 00:14:57,247 again , we're working to get those 389 00:14:57,247 --> 00:14:59,580 numbers in terms of what we can provide , 390 00:14:59,580 --> 00:15:01,413 as I understand it , part of the 391 00:15:01,413 --> 00:15:03,650 complexity is the methods by which 392 00:15:03,659 --> 00:15:05,826 we're providing these , some of that , 393 00:15:05,826 --> 00:15:08,530 which is already um for , for example , 394 00:15:08,539 --> 00:15:11,659 paid for through uh the foreign 395 00:15:11,669 --> 00:15:14,099 military sales for military financing , 396 00:15:14,109 --> 00:15:16,331 you know , pre existing agreements with 397 00:15:16,331 --> 00:15:18,739 Israel , some of it is coming from uh 398 00:15:18,750 --> 00:15:21,409 stocks uh that we have in the region , 399 00:15:21,419 --> 00:15:23,690 some of it's coming from uh you know , 400 00:15:23,700 --> 00:15:26,349 us inventory . So there's a multitude 401 00:15:26,359 --> 00:15:28,470 of different methods in order to meet 402 00:15:28,470 --> 00:15:30,669 this urgent need . Uh And so it's not 403 00:15:30,679 --> 00:15:32,929 the exact same thing as the way we're 404 00:15:32,940 --> 00:15:35,869 providing assistance to Ukraine . So 405 00:15:35,919 --> 00:15:38,960 this goes into the , how do you um 406 00:15:38,969 --> 00:15:40,979 provide an accurate figure that 407 00:15:40,989 --> 00:15:43,020 accurately reflects what we're 408 00:15:43,030 --> 00:15:44,919 providing in terms of our funding 409 00:15:44,919 --> 00:15:47,141 versus what Israel has funded and we're 410 00:15:47,141 --> 00:15:49,308 expediting and those kinds of things . 411 00:15:49,308 --> 00:15:51,474 And then lastly , you were asked about 412 00:15:51,474 --> 00:15:53,308 comments that were made over the 413 00:15:53,308 --> 00:15:55,363 weekend by the US that it expects or 414 00:15:55,363 --> 00:15:55,340 hopes that the , any operations in the 415 00:15:55,594 --> 00:15:58,215 to be at a different um tempo than they 416 00:15:58,224 --> 00:16:00,315 were in the North . In Secretary 417 00:16:00,325 --> 00:16:02,436 Austin's discussions with the Israeli 418 00:16:02,436 --> 00:16:04,603 counterparts , has he talked about the 419 00:16:04,603 --> 00:16:06,825 US providing different munitions to the 420 00:16:06,825 --> 00:16:08,992 Israelis going forward to support um a 421 00:16:08,992 --> 00:16:11,214 different kind of conduct of the war in 422 00:16:11,214 --> 00:16:13,158 the South in terms of the types of 423 00:16:13,158 --> 00:16:15,158 weapons that are used . Yeah , so I 424 00:16:15,158 --> 00:16:15,000 won't get into the specifics other than 425 00:16:15,010 --> 00:16:17,559 to say in , in their conversations , 426 00:16:17,570 --> 00:16:19,459 they're certainly discussing what 427 00:16:19,459 --> 00:16:22,159 Israel's needs are uh again within the 428 00:16:22,169 --> 00:16:24,700 broader context of um what it is 429 00:16:24,710 --> 00:16:26,989 they're trying to achieve against Hamas 430 00:16:27,059 --> 00:16:29,239 while at the same time ensuring that 431 00:16:29,250 --> 00:16:31,083 we're taking that they're taking 432 00:16:31,083 --> 00:16:34,070 civilian casualties and civilian safety 433 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:36,136 into account . I'll just leave it at 434 00:16:36,136 --> 00:16:38,413 that . Thank you very much . Thank you , 435 00:16:38,413 --> 00:16:40,413 General . Uh two questions on North 436 00:16:40,413 --> 00:16:43,309 Korea . North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 437 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:46,760 announced yesterday said that uh North 438 00:16:46,770 --> 00:16:50,130 Korea's military satellite captured the 439 00:16:50,140 --> 00:16:54,130 images of , of the White House and the 440 00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:56,929 Pentagon also the US 441 00:16:56,940 --> 00:17:00,690 bases . In fact , what is the United 442 00:17:00,700 --> 00:17:04,209 States as to uh assessment of the , you 443 00:17:04,219 --> 00:17:07,890 know , this cos they 444 00:17:07,930 --> 00:17:09,930 got pictures of the Pentagon in the 445 00:17:09,930 --> 00:17:13,849 White House . Um I , I don't have 446 00:17:13,859 --> 00:17:16,026 any information to provide on what the 447 00:17:16,026 --> 00:17:18,026 North Korean satellite has captured 448 00:17:18,026 --> 00:17:21,849 imagery of . Are you still with 449 00:17:21,859 --> 00:17:25,829 your allies ? I don't have 450 00:17:25,839 --> 00:17:27,895 anything further to provide . I will 451 00:17:27,895 --> 00:17:30,061 say that there are plenty of images of 452 00:17:30,061 --> 00:17:32,395 the Pentagon and the White House online . 453 00:17:32,395 --> 00:17:34,006 So I just leave it at that . 454 00:17:36,739 --> 00:17:40,109 Korea is completely abolishing the 455 00:17:40,270 --> 00:17:44,219 intern military agreement . Least 456 00:17:44,229 --> 00:17:46,819 telling God to post to end con 457 00:17:47,030 --> 00:17:49,699 concentrating troops at 458 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:53,189 military dedication line . 459 00:17:53,829 --> 00:17:57,369 How do you view of the possibility 460 00:17:57,380 --> 00:18:01,160 of those couriers supplies ? Yeah . So , 461 00:18:01,170 --> 00:18:03,170 you know , it's obviously something 462 00:18:03,170 --> 00:18:05,003 that we're continuing to monitor 463 00:18:05,003 --> 00:18:07,003 closely . I don't have any specific 464 00:18:07,003 --> 00:18:09,114 information to provide right now on , 465 00:18:09,114 --> 00:18:11,003 you know , purported North Korean 466 00:18:11,003 --> 00:18:13,670 deployments . What I will say again is 467 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,479 that us extended deterrent , our 468 00:18:16,489 --> 00:18:19,339 commitment to us extended deterrence to 469 00:18:19,349 --> 00:18:21,930 both the Republic of Korea and Japan uh 470 00:18:21,949 --> 00:18:24,489 will remain ironclad . And as you know , 471 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:26,890 Secretary Austin just returned from his 472 00:18:26,900 --> 00:18:29,199 second trip this year to the Korean 473 00:18:29,209 --> 00:18:31,699 Peninsula and he was very clear when he 474 00:18:31,709 --> 00:18:34,349 was in Seoul after seven decades of 475 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:36,470 preserving peace and stability on the 476 00:18:36,470 --> 00:18:39,000 Korean Peninsula , the US ro alliance 477 00:18:39,010 --> 00:18:41,121 stands strong . So let me go to Joe . 478 00:18:41,719 --> 00:18:45,109 Now . Can you tell me to Yemen ? 479 00:18:45,540 --> 00:18:48,800 Have you seen any evidence that Iranian 480 00:18:48,810 --> 00:18:51,890 operatives or experts are with the 481 00:18:52,060 --> 00:18:55,359 Houthis inside Yemen to provide them 482 00:18:55,369 --> 00:18:59,109 with the expertise or satellite imagery 483 00:18:59,790 --> 00:19:02,280 before they launch or in the process of 484 00:19:02,290 --> 00:19:04,900 launching their ballistic missiles 485 00:19:05,150 --> 00:19:08,760 towards Israel or towards us 486 00:19:08,770 --> 00:19:11,290 ships ? Thanks . So I don't , you know , 487 00:19:11,300 --> 00:19:13,349 have any specific information to 488 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:15,526 provide on that . I'm not going to get 489 00:19:15,526 --> 00:19:17,581 into intelligence as you well know , 490 00:19:17,581 --> 00:19:19,609 the Houthis and Iran have a long 491 00:19:19,619 --> 00:19:21,841 standing relationship , but in terms of 492 00:19:21,841 --> 00:19:23,952 your specific question , I don't have 493 00:19:23,952 --> 00:19:26,400 anything to pass along . You can say if 494 00:19:26,410 --> 00:19:28,939 the Iranian as of now , they keep 495 00:19:29,849 --> 00:19:33,579 assisting the Houthis with the I , 496 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:37,447 I don't have anything to pass along on 497 00:19:37,447 --> 00:19:39,669 that . Thank you . All right . Time for 498 00:19:39,669 --> 00:19:42,260 a couple more tom quick follow ups 499 00:19:43,099 --> 00:19:45,880 on the aid flight that landed . I'm 500 00:19:45,890 --> 00:19:48,001 inferring what you said that it'll be 501 00:19:48,001 --> 00:19:50,279 trucked in by , not by the US military . 502 00:19:50,279 --> 00:19:52,670 The United Nations agencies will take 503 00:19:52,839 --> 00:19:56,359 it on the ship . You duced that they 504 00:19:56,369 --> 00:19:58,480 were not the targets . Can that means 505 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:00,536 can you rule out by your preliminary 506 00:20:00,536 --> 00:20:03,459 assessment that the pirates who took 507 00:20:03,469 --> 00:20:05,636 control of the ship were not directing 508 00:20:05,636 --> 00:20:07,747 it toward Yemen to make it a target ? 509 00:20:07,747 --> 00:20:10,140 Um , a as it pertains to the armed 510 00:20:10,150 --> 00:20:13,869 individuals that uh attempted to seize 511 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:17,280 the motor vessel , Central Park . Um 512 00:20:17,290 --> 00:20:19,290 You know , again , that's something 513 00:20:19,290 --> 00:20:21,346 that we continue to assess . Um , as 514 00:20:21,346 --> 00:20:23,568 you've heard us say right now , initial 515 00:20:23,568 --> 00:20:25,846 indications are that these are Somalis . 516 00:20:25,846 --> 00:20:28,359 Um They are aboard the US S Mason uh 517 00:20:28,369 --> 00:20:30,640 where they're being questioned . Uh You 518 00:20:30,650 --> 00:20:32,983 know , when we have more information to , 519 00:20:32,983 --> 00:20:35,039 to provide in terms of next steps on 520 00:20:35,039 --> 00:20:36,761 that front , in terms of their 521 00:20:36,761 --> 00:20:38,872 disposition . We'll certainly let you 522 00:20:38,872 --> 00:20:40,761 know . Uh but we're continuing to 523 00:20:40,761 --> 00:20:42,706 assess uh motive , um , you know , 524 00:20:42,706 --> 00:20:44,817 point of origin all those things . So 525 00:20:44,817 --> 00:20:47,039 at this point , that's where we're at . 526 00:20:47,039 --> 00:20:49,959 Thank you . Would you characterize the 527 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:53,650 Houthi as a terrorist group ? Um , you 528 00:20:53,660 --> 00:20:55,716 know , I'll , I'll leave it to State 529 00:20:55,716 --> 00:20:57,938 Department to define what is and is not 530 00:20:57,938 --> 00:20:59,993 a terrorist group . Certainly . Uh , 531 00:20:59,993 --> 00:21:01,993 the Houthi rebels , uh , you know , 532 00:21:01,993 --> 00:21:03,993 have a long history of uh fomenting 533 00:21:03,993 --> 00:21:06,104 instability in the region as , as you 534 00:21:06,104 --> 00:21:08,216 well know . Uh but again , you know , 535 00:21:08,216 --> 00:21:10,989 um , right now we , we the United 536 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:12,889 States military are going to stay 537 00:21:12,889 --> 00:21:15,111 focused on the missions that we have at 538 00:21:15,111 --> 00:21:17,278 hand in Iraq and Syria . It's going to 539 00:21:17,278 --> 00:21:19,389 be focused on the defeat ISIS mission 540 00:21:19,389 --> 00:21:21,556 in the Red Sea and in the Arabian Gulf 541 00:21:21,556 --> 00:21:21,349 and the Gulf of Aden , we're going to 542 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:23,359 continue to stay focused on working 543 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:25,359 with the international community to 544 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:27,637 ensure regional security and stability , 545 00:21:27,637 --> 00:21:29,430 whether that's transiting the 546 00:21:29,439 --> 00:21:32,380 international Waterways or working with 547 00:21:32,390 --> 00:21:35,160 our partners to provide air defense . 548 00:21:35,170 --> 00:21:37,392 Is there still consideration of putting 549 00:21:37,392 --> 00:21:39,559 them back on the terror list ? Again , 550 00:21:39,559 --> 00:21:41,670 I'd refer you to State Department for 551 00:21:41,670 --> 00:21:41,060 that . All right , thanks very much . 552 00:21:41,380 --> 00:21:41,969 Appreciate it .