1 00:00:02,890 --> 00:00:04,779 All right . Hi , good afternoon , 2 00:00:04,779 --> 00:00:07,001 everyone . Just a few things at the top 3 00:00:07,001 --> 00:00:08,834 here and then happy to take your 4 00:00:08,834 --> 00:00:10,779 questions . So let me start off by 5 00:00:10,779 --> 00:00:12,612 saying that our thoughts and our 6 00:00:12,612 --> 00:00:14,612 prayers are with all those who were 7 00:00:14,612 --> 00:00:16,834 impacted in the collapse of the Francis 8 00:00:16,834 --> 00:00:19,112 Scott Key bridge overnight . Obviously , 9 00:00:19,112 --> 00:00:21,334 it is very early in the process , but I 10 00:00:21,334 --> 00:00:23,168 can tell you that the commanding 11 00:00:23,168 --> 00:00:24,946 general of the US Army Corps of 12 00:00:24,946 --> 00:00:27,001 Engineers has been in touch with the 13 00:00:27,001 --> 00:00:29,223 Port of Baltimore and the department is 14 00:00:29,223 --> 00:00:31,334 remaining in close contact with local 15 00:00:31,334 --> 00:00:33,557 and state officials and stands ready if 16 00:00:33,557 --> 00:00:35,750 any assistance is required , given the 17 00:00:35,759 --> 00:00:37,815 scope of the situation . And this is 18 00:00:37,815 --> 00:00:39,815 likely to be a lengthy process . We 19 00:00:39,815 --> 00:00:42,037 will of course circle back with any new 20 00:00:42,037 --> 00:00:44,148 developments from the dod perspective 21 00:00:44,148 --> 00:00:46,315 over the coming days and weeks to come 22 00:00:46,909 --> 00:00:49,060 today , Secretary of Defense Austin 23 00:00:49,069 --> 00:00:51,013 hosted Israeli Minister of Defense 24 00:00:51,013 --> 00:00:53,125 Gallant at the Pentagon for his first 25 00:00:53,125 --> 00:00:55,180 visit to Washington . In his current 26 00:00:55,180 --> 00:00:57,069 role . The Secretary and Minister 27 00:00:57,069 --> 00:00:59,236 Gallant affirmed their shared interest 28 00:00:59,236 --> 00:01:01,180 in defeating Hamas , discussed the 29 00:01:01,180 --> 00:01:03,402 importance of prioritizing civilians in 30 00:01:03,402 --> 00:01:05,513 Rafah . The dire humanities mean that 31 00:01:05,513 --> 00:01:08,230 all conditions for South Korea to 32 00:01:08,239 --> 00:01:11,790 receive the transfer are left . 33 00:01:12,260 --> 00:01:14,316 Yeah , I don't have anything else to 34 00:01:14,316 --> 00:01:16,482 provide and sorry , I didn't , sorry , 35 00:01:16,482 --> 00:01:18,593 I asked you to clarify . I don't have 36 00:01:18,593 --> 00:01:18,360 anything more to provide than the 37 00:01:18,370 --> 00:01:20,259 comments that were offered at the 38 00:01:20,259 --> 00:01:22,259 hearing . Um We certainly value our 39 00:01:22,259 --> 00:01:24,481 partnership with Ro um That's something 40 00:01:24,481 --> 00:01:26,481 that we continue to deepen each and 41 00:01:26,481 --> 00:01:28,592 every day . Um And I'll just leave it 42 00:01:28,592 --> 00:01:31,550 at that . He said that kind of issue 43 00:01:31,559 --> 00:01:34,589 certainly this time because if not 44 00:01:34,709 --> 00:01:38,589 South Korea not met in conditions there 45 00:01:38,599 --> 00:01:41,739 will not be transfer . I just don't 46 00:01:41,750 --> 00:01:44,069 have more to provide . J sorry , North 47 00:01:44,489 --> 00:01:47,449 Korea announced that they are preparing 48 00:01:47,459 --> 00:01:51,325 to launch a new reconnaissance military 49 00:01:51,466 --> 00:01:55,435 satellite . Do you have any information 50 00:01:55,445 --> 00:01:58,986 on how you prepare for those new 51 00:01:59,445 --> 00:02:01,396 satellite launch ? Yeah , without 52 00:02:01,405 --> 00:02:04,155 getting into intelligence , genius , 53 00:02:04,166 --> 00:02:06,222 I'm sure you can appreciate . I just 54 00:02:06,222 --> 00:02:08,333 don't have a comment . We continue to 55 00:02:08,333 --> 00:02:10,444 obviously monitor what happens on the 56 00:02:10,444 --> 00:02:12,666 pen , but I just , I don't have more to 57 00:02:12,666 --> 00:02:13,944 add at this time , the 58 00:02:16,712 --> 00:02:18,879 technique , we continue to monitor the 59 00:02:18,879 --> 00:02:20,990 relationship between Russia and the D 60 00:02:20,990 --> 00:02:23,212 pr K . It's something that um certainly 61 00:02:23,212 --> 00:02:25,379 concerns us as the D pr K has provided 62 00:02:25,379 --> 00:02:27,545 Russia with military support that it's 63 00:02:27,545 --> 00:02:30,662 using to kill innocent Ukrainians . And 64 00:02:30,692 --> 00:02:33,001 um you know , certainly as Ukraine 65 00:02:33,011 --> 00:02:34,900 continues to defend its sovereign 66 00:02:34,900 --> 00:02:37,231 territory , but um I just don't have 67 00:02:37,242 --> 00:02:40,600 more for you to more at this time . My 68 00:02:40,610 --> 00:02:42,666 question is about Secretary Austin's 69 00:02:42,666 --> 00:02:44,832 meeting with Japan's national security 70 00:02:44,832 --> 00:02:47,309 adviser Akiba yesterday . In addition 71 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:49,479 to the reader , could you give us a 72 00:02:49,490 --> 00:02:51,379 sense of what kind of topics were 73 00:02:51,379 --> 00:02:54,199 discussed and especially whether they 74 00:02:54,210 --> 00:02:56,520 discussed how to strengthen the command 75 00:02:56,529 --> 00:02:59,490 structure of the US force . Japan . 76 00:02:59,589 --> 00:03:01,645 That , yeah , I , I know this is not 77 00:03:01,645 --> 00:03:03,867 going to be a satisfactory answer , but 78 00:03:03,867 --> 00:03:05,922 I'm just as you can appreciate , I'm 79 00:03:05,922 --> 00:03:05,839 not gonna go too much beyond the 80 00:03:05,850 --> 00:03:09,089 readout . Um The meeting offered 81 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:12,130 another opportunity for um us to talk 82 00:03:12,139 --> 00:03:14,929 to , you know , our ally in the region , 83 00:03:14,940 --> 00:03:17,107 but I would just let the readout stand 84 00:03:17,107 --> 00:03:19,107 for , for what we put out following 85 00:03:19,107 --> 00:03:21,600 that . That meeting , Liz . Um the Navy 86 00:03:21,610 --> 00:03:24,360 is requesting $2.2 billion to Congress 87 00:03:24,369 --> 00:03:25,980 to make up for the lack of a 88 00:03:25,980 --> 00:03:29,399 supplemental . And um fy 24 not being 89 00:03:29,410 --> 00:03:32,000 passed to fill that gap in funding . Um 90 00:03:32,009 --> 00:03:34,800 Can you explain some of the um 91 00:03:34,809 --> 00:03:37,031 shortfalls that the US Navy is facing , 92 00:03:37,250 --> 00:03:39,472 um you know , through this funding like 93 00:03:39,779 --> 00:03:41,899 um shipbuilding , um you know , 94 00:03:41,910 --> 00:03:44,132 missiles for the ships in the Red Sea . 95 00:03:44,132 --> 00:03:46,243 Um in terms of , I mean , I would let 96 00:03:46,243 --> 00:03:48,299 the Navy speak to more space that uh 97 00:03:48,299 --> 00:03:50,521 with Minister Gallant , but it was at a 98 00:03:50,521 --> 00:03:52,577 very high level . Um Again , what we 99 00:03:52,577 --> 00:03:54,743 continue to reiterate uh both publicly 100 00:03:54,743 --> 00:03:56,632 and privately is that any type of 101 00:03:56,632 --> 00:03:58,960 operation into Rafa must account for 102 00:03:59,139 --> 00:04:01,083 the over 1 million people that are 103 00:04:01,083 --> 00:04:03,083 sheltered there . Um And , and take 104 00:04:03,083 --> 00:04:05,250 into account innocent civilian lives . 105 00:04:05,250 --> 00:04:07,320 And so , uh what we've said is going 106 00:04:07,330 --> 00:04:09,552 forward with an operation in Rafa would 107 00:04:09,552 --> 00:04:11,774 be a mistake if , if those lives aren't 108 00:04:11,774 --> 00:04:14,000 taken into account . Yeah . Hay , thank 109 00:04:14,009 --> 00:04:16,176 you , Sabrina . Um , just to follow up 110 00:04:16,176 --> 00:04:18,009 on F's question , then one other 111 00:04:18,009 --> 00:04:20,231 unrelated but , um , secretary also , I 112 00:04:20,231 --> 00:04:22,453 know he said today that he and Mr Galan 113 00:04:22,453 --> 00:04:24,509 have spoken nearly 40 times . Um , a 114 00:04:24,509 --> 00:04:26,731 senior defense official said to earlier 115 00:04:26,731 --> 00:04:28,842 today , the two are good friends that 116 00:04:28,842 --> 00:04:30,731 have become very close . Um , you 117 00:04:30,731 --> 00:04:32,842 obviously there are still concerns in 118 00:04:32,842 --> 00:04:32,119 sort of how Israel has carried things 119 00:04:32,130 --> 00:04:33,963 out , sort of friction , I guess 120 00:04:33,963 --> 00:04:36,130 between what we have been advising and 121 00:04:36,130 --> 00:04:38,352 what Israel , what we've been seeing on 122 00:04:38,352 --> 00:04:37,850 the ground in Gaza with respect to 123 00:04:37,859 --> 00:04:40,880 civilians . So , um what commitments 124 00:04:40,890 --> 00:04:42,980 did Minister Gallant make to today's 125 00:04:42,989 --> 00:04:45,100 meeting when it comes to humanitarian 126 00:04:45,100 --> 00:04:47,529 aid getting into Gaza ? Um And after 127 00:04:47,540 --> 00:04:49,318 today's meeting , how confident 128 00:04:49,318 --> 00:04:51,373 Secretary Austin that uh that Israel 129 00:04:51,373 --> 00:04:53,540 will be taking the wordings and advice 130 00:04:53,540 --> 00:04:56,010 on Rafa seriously moving forward . Well , 131 00:04:56,019 --> 00:04:58,760 it was certainly a frank and direct 132 00:04:58,769 --> 00:05:00,491 conversation . I think you can 133 00:05:00,491 --> 00:05:02,602 appreciate that um , friends can have 134 00:05:02,602 --> 00:05:04,769 these types of conversations with each 135 00:05:04,769 --> 00:05:07,369 other . Um I'll let you know , Minister 136 00:05:07,380 --> 00:05:10,059 Galant speak to um what he said in the 137 00:05:10,070 --> 00:05:12,299 meeting , but I think our concerns were 138 00:05:12,309 --> 00:05:14,476 certainly heard and have been heard by 139 00:05:14,476 --> 00:05:16,587 the Israeli government . And what you 140 00:05:16,587 --> 00:05:19,200 saw from the secretary is reiterate our 141 00:05:19,209 --> 00:05:21,820 concerns in a face to face conversation 142 00:05:21,829 --> 00:05:24,630 that humanitarian aid continue to flow 143 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:26,309 into Gaza . Uh We know that 144 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:28,376 humanitarian aid is stalled at these 145 00:05:28,376 --> 00:05:30,431 border crossings . So we need to see 146 00:05:30,431 --> 00:05:32,653 that aid flow in . Uh We do not want to 147 00:05:32,653 --> 00:05:34,764 see the humanitarian situation on the 148 00:05:34,764 --> 00:05:37,600 ground become even worse . Um And of 149 00:05:37,609 --> 00:05:39,720 course , the secretary reiterated the 150 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:41,942 United states' commitment to setting up 151 00:05:41,942 --> 00:05:43,942 that maritime uh floating pier that 152 00:05:43,942 --> 00:05:46,279 will be set up in the coming weeks . 153 00:05:46,890 --> 00:05:49,001 But it was honestly a good , it was a 154 00:05:49,001 --> 00:05:50,946 good conversation to have not only 155 00:05:50,946 --> 00:05:53,670 about Rafa but just generally about um 156 00:05:53,730 --> 00:05:56,410 the ongoing Israeli operations within 157 00:05:56,420 --> 00:05:58,364 Gaza . And I'm sorry , I I think I 158 00:05:58,399 --> 00:06:00,660 missed your second question there . Um 159 00:06:00,670 --> 00:06:03,059 No , it was just how , how um confident 160 00:06:03,089 --> 00:06:05,200 that Austin was moving in with Rafa . 161 00:06:05,250 --> 00:06:07,528 Um but I had to , ok , go ahead . Yeah , 162 00:06:07,875 --> 00:06:10,644 the Corps of Engineers have they been 163 00:06:10,654 --> 00:06:12,894 officially requested to assist yet in 164 00:06:12,904 --> 00:06:14,795 Baltimore ? And then also on the 165 00:06:14,804 --> 00:06:17,355 parachute malfunction . Do you have a 166 00:06:17,364 --> 00:06:20,385 rough number or exact if you could of 167 00:06:20,394 --> 00:06:22,505 how many other times we've seen those 168 00:06:22,505 --> 00:06:24,561 kind of malfunctions happen with the 169 00:06:24,561 --> 00:06:26,672 drops that have been conducted for an 170 00:06:26,672 --> 00:06:28,672 exact number . I would refer you to 171 00:06:28,672 --> 00:06:30,894 Centcom . But as a univer is the number 172 00:06:30,894 --> 00:06:32,894 12 accounts for each instance of an 173 00:06:32,894 --> 00:06:35,239 individual using the policy for a round 174 00:06:35,250 --> 00:06:38,070 trip event . So for example , this 175 00:06:38,079 --> 00:06:40,301 could entail a service member traveling 176 00:06:40,301 --> 00:06:42,523 from their home station in one state or 177 00:06:42,523 --> 00:06:44,746 overseas location to a state where they 178 00:06:44,746 --> 00:06:46,746 can access non covered reproductive 179 00:06:46,746 --> 00:06:49,040 health care services and then returning 180 00:06:49,049 --> 00:06:51,619 home to that home station . Of note , a 181 00:06:51,630 --> 00:06:53,797 service member can use the policy more 182 00:06:53,797 --> 00:06:56,459 than once the total cost for the 183 00:06:56,470 --> 00:06:59,559 department for travel and it sorry . 184 00:06:59,670 --> 00:07:01,781 The total cost for the Department for 185 00:07:01,781 --> 00:07:03,892 Travel and transportation in these 12 186 00:07:03,892 --> 00:07:05,640 instances was 40 187 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,640 $40,791.20 . 188 00:07:09,730 --> 00:07:11,397 Due to privacy concerns . The 189 00:07:11,397 --> 00:07:13,619 department does not track the number of 190 00:07:13,619 --> 00:07:15,508 individuals who use the policy or 191 00:07:15,508 --> 00:07:17,563 collect data on specific type of non 192 00:07:17,563 --> 00:07:19,397 covered reproductive health care 193 00:07:19,397 --> 00:07:21,239 services used by service members 194 00:07:21,250 --> 00:07:23,472 utilizing the travel and transportation 195 00:07:23,472 --> 00:07:25,528 policy . And with that , I know that 196 00:07:25,528 --> 00:07:27,472 was a lot . I'm happy to take your 197 00:07:27,472 --> 00:07:29,528 questions . So Tara , if you want to 198 00:07:29,528 --> 00:07:31,639 start yourself , thanks , Serena . Um 199 00:07:31,639 --> 00:07:33,972 One clean up June through December 2023 . 200 00:07:33,972 --> 00:07:36,194 So just the last six months of the last 201 00:07:36,194 --> 00:07:38,760 year and 12 people total or 12 uses 202 00:07:38,769 --> 00:07:40,880 total and it could have been that one 203 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:42,936 person went more than once , 12 uses 204 00:07:42,936 --> 00:07:45,158 total . So it accounts for 12 times and 205 00:07:45,158 --> 00:07:47,380 a service member can use the the travel 206 00:07:47,380 --> 00:07:49,547 transportation policy multiple times . 207 00:07:49,547 --> 00:07:51,950 Ok , thanks . Um Switching back to 208 00:07:51,959 --> 00:07:55,059 Israel and Gaza . Uh were there any 209 00:07:55,070 --> 00:07:57,790 indications today because of the 210 00:07:57,799 --> 00:08:00,529 abstention vote in the UN that Israel 211 00:08:00,540 --> 00:08:02,920 is now not going to support the 212 00:08:02,929 --> 00:08:04,920 distribution or the maritime port 213 00:08:04,929 --> 00:08:07,040 access for the US and others that are 214 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,262 gonna create this port . No , there was 215 00:08:09,262 --> 00:08:11,318 not . Um uh part of the conversation 216 00:08:11,318 --> 00:08:13,373 that the secretary had with Minister 217 00:08:13,373 --> 00:08:15,596 Gallant was one of the things that they 218 00:08:15,596 --> 00:08:17,651 discussed was about humanitarian aid 219 00:08:17,651 --> 00:08:19,485 getting into Gaza getting to the 220 00:08:19,485 --> 00:08:21,596 Palestinian people who need it most . 221 00:08:21,596 --> 00:08:23,596 Um And of course they discussed the 222 00:08:23,596 --> 00:08:25,818 maritime corridor that's still going to 223 00:08:25,818 --> 00:08:28,040 be set up as planned . Um We're still a 224 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:30,096 few weeks away from that being fully 225 00:08:30,096 --> 00:08:32,151 operational , but that will still be 226 00:08:32,151 --> 00:08:34,096 set up and since we are only a few 227 00:08:34,096 --> 00:08:36,262 weeks away from it being operational , 228 00:08:36,262 --> 00:08:38,096 do you have an update on how the 229 00:08:38,096 --> 00:08:40,207 logistics , how the distribution part 230 00:08:40,207 --> 00:08:42,429 of it , the security ? Um what will the 231 00:08:42,429 --> 00:08:44,707 US role be versus Israel's role ? Sure . 232 00:08:44,707 --> 00:08:46,873 So that's something that did also come 233 00:08:46,873 --> 00:08:49,040 up with Minister Galan . Um you know , 234 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:51,096 Israel will play a role in providing 235 00:08:51,096 --> 00:08:53,373 some type of security and securing the , 236 00:08:53,373 --> 00:08:57,184 the temporary causeway to the coastline 237 00:08:57,195 --> 00:08:59,695 of Gaza . But um those details are 238 00:08:59,705 --> 00:09:01,761 still , you know , going through the 239 00:09:01,761 --> 00:09:03,983 process of being worked out um in terms 240 00:09:03,983 --> 00:09:06,149 of the humanitarian distribution , the 241 00:09:06,149 --> 00:09:08,372 distribution of humanitarian aid , that 242 00:09:08,372 --> 00:09:11,455 is also something that um this mission 243 00:09:11,965 --> 00:09:13,687 defeating ISIS mission or it's 244 00:09:13,687 --> 00:09:15,965 something about talking about the past . 245 00:09:17,059 --> 00:09:18,948 Yeah , again , I think we've been 246 00:09:18,948 --> 00:09:20,948 pretty clear that there are certain 247 00:09:20,948 --> 00:09:23,115 parameters that we uh that the H MC is 248 00:09:23,115 --> 00:09:25,226 going to be used to address . Um when 249 00:09:25,226 --> 00:09:27,337 those conversations started , we read 250 00:09:27,337 --> 00:09:29,392 those out at the top um from here at 251 00:09:29,392 --> 00:09:31,448 this podium , one of those was , you 252 00:09:31,448 --> 00:09:33,448 know , our relationship uh with the 253 00:09:33,448 --> 00:09:35,392 Iraqi government , um the security 254 00:09:35,392 --> 00:09:37,650 environment in Iraq . And of course , 255 00:09:37,659 --> 00:09:40,210 you know , the partnership with Iraqi 256 00:09:40,219 --> 00:09:41,997 security forces . Again , these 257 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,210 conversations continue to be ongoing . 258 00:09:44,219 --> 00:09:46,330 We're committed to the H MC . I don't 259 00:09:46,330 --> 00:09:48,386 have more for you at this time . I'm 260 00:09:48,386 --> 00:09:51,224 gonna move on . Yeah , Liz Care travel 261 00:09:51,234 --> 00:09:53,744 policy that we talked about earlier um 262 00:09:53,755 --> 00:09:56,525 is a breakdown of what procedures were 263 00:09:56,534 --> 00:09:58,756 accessed , will that ever be released ? 264 00:09:58,756 --> 00:10:00,905 No , for the privacy of individuals 265 00:10:00,914 --> 00:10:03,684 we're not going to provide . Um And we 266 00:10:03,695 --> 00:10:07,164 don't ask for a breakdown of what that 267 00:10:07,174 --> 00:10:10,734 person needs . It is how it is what 268 00:10:10,744 --> 00:10:13,364 this tracks is , how many times that 269 00:10:13,375 --> 00:10:16,544 policy was used . So it was just 12 270 00:10:16,554 --> 00:10:20,330 times that um this travel 271 00:10:20,340 --> 00:10:22,229 transportation policy was used by 272 00:10:22,229 --> 00:10:24,340 service members and again , a service 273 00:10:24,340 --> 00:10:26,396 member could use it multiple times . 274 00:10:28,140 --> 00:10:31,030 Yeah . And then so um Secretary Austin 275 00:10:31,039 --> 00:10:33,169 discussed today with the Minister 276 00:10:33,429 --> 00:10:35,710 Galant , the shared goal of dismantling 277 00:10:35,719 --> 00:10:39,010 Hamas battalions in Rafah . Does 278 00:10:39,020 --> 00:10:40,929 Secretary Austin think that this 279 00:10:40,940 --> 00:10:43,450 objective can be achieved without a 280 00:10:43,460 --> 00:10:45,880 major Israeli operation in Rafah ? Yeah , 281 00:10:45,940 --> 00:10:48,051 thanks Fadi . I think I answered your 282 00:10:48,051 --> 00:10:50,384 question earlier but I'll , I'll , I'll , 283 00:10:50,384 --> 00:10:52,496 I'll try it again for you just , just 284 00:10:52,496 --> 00:10:54,718 to reiterate . Um I think the secretary 285 00:10:54,718 --> 00:10:56,773 and uh has been pretty clear that we 286 00:10:56,773 --> 00:10:58,884 don't believe a ground incursion into 287 00:10:58,884 --> 00:11:02,309 Rafa without taking into account the 1 288 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:05,580 million people that are there uh or any 289 00:11:05,590 --> 00:11:07,710 type of operation into Rafa that does 290 00:11:07,719 --> 00:11:09,719 not take into account the 1 million 291 00:11:09,719 --> 00:11:11,552 people that are there would be a 292 00:11:11,552 --> 00:11:13,775 mistake and I'll leave it at that , but 293 00:11:13,775 --> 00:11:15,886 I'm not thinking about that part of , 294 00:11:15,886 --> 00:11:17,830 I'm thinking from my question . Is 295 00:11:17,830 --> 00:11:20,219 about from the the military perspective 296 00:11:20,229 --> 00:11:22,562 and based on the secretary's experience , 297 00:11:22,562 --> 00:11:24,929 experience , does he think that Israel 298 00:11:24,940 --> 00:11:26,940 can achieve the goal of dismantling 299 00:11:26,940 --> 00:11:28,789 Hamas and Rafa without actually 300 00:11:28,799 --> 00:11:31,169 conducting a major invasion ? Well , we 301 00:11:31,179 --> 00:11:33,401 share the goal with Israel that we want 302 00:11:33,401 --> 00:11:35,623 to see Hamas dismantled . I mean , this 303 00:11:35,623 --> 00:11:37,457 is a terrorist organization that 304 00:11:37,457 --> 00:11:39,568 brutally killed over 1000 people . So 305 00:11:39,568 --> 00:11:41,790 we certainly share that goal , how that 306 00:11:41,790 --> 00:11:43,957 operation is conducted within Rafah is 307 00:11:43,957 --> 00:11:46,179 something that we are going to continue 308 00:11:46,179 --> 00:11:48,457 to discuss with the Israeli government . 309 00:11:48,457 --> 00:11:50,512 Um That's what you saw the secretary 310 00:11:50,512 --> 00:11:52,623 discuss with Minister Gallant today . 311 00:11:52,623 --> 00:11:54,846 Um We shared our concerns . We have our 312 00:11:54,846 --> 00:11:56,846 ongoing , I don't have a , a better 313 00:11:56,846 --> 00:11:58,901 answer for you just now . Um Just to 314 00:11:58,901 --> 00:11:58,796 follow up on , I guess a question from 315 00:11:58,806 --> 00:12:01,216 a couple of days ago is dod going to be 316 00:12:01,226 --> 00:12:03,559 in control of the distribution contract . 317 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,782 I know no dod personnel are going to be 318 00:12:05,782 --> 00:12:07,893 there . But is this going to be a dod 319 00:12:07,893 --> 00:12:09,948 run effort to my knowledge ? I don't 320 00:12:09,948 --> 00:12:12,115 believe we are going to have a part in 321 00:12:12,115 --> 00:12:14,337 the distribution of aid . Again , we're 322 00:12:14,337 --> 00:12:16,961 looking to um I , I don't want to get 323 00:12:16,971 --> 00:12:19,193 ahead of any conversations again . This 324 00:12:19,193 --> 00:12:21,249 is something that's ongoing . We are 325 00:12:21,249 --> 00:12:23,360 working with partners in the region , 326 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:25,415 we're working with NGO S . Um I just 327 00:12:25,415 --> 00:12:27,471 don't have a sense of um just yet on 328 00:12:27,471 --> 00:12:29,693 how that aid is going to be distributed 329 00:12:29,693 --> 00:12:31,527 once it comes off of what you're 330 00:12:31,527 --> 00:12:33,804 referring to as the causeway into Gaza . 331 00:12:33,804 --> 00:12:35,860 I just don't have more to provide at 332 00:12:35,860 --> 00:12:37,749 this time just quickly on the air 333 00:12:37,749 --> 00:12:40,027 dropped and the parachute malfunctions . 334 00:12:40,027 --> 00:12:42,138 Do you know if there are reports that 335 00:12:42,138 --> 00:12:44,138 up to 12 people were killed as they 336 00:12:44,138 --> 00:12:46,360 tried to go into the water to get the ? 337 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,304 Have you seen that ? I've seen the 338 00:12:48,304 --> 00:12:50,527 reports . I can't confirm those reports 339 00:12:50,527 --> 00:12:52,304 but I have seen them . And then 340 00:12:52,304 --> 00:12:54,471 secondly , Syrian State media said the 341 00:12:54,471 --> 00:12:56,527 claim that the United States carried 342 00:12:56,527 --> 00:12:58,582 out airstrikes in Syria last night . 343 00:12:58,582 --> 00:12:58,559 Did you carry out air strike ? We did 344 00:12:58,570 --> 00:13:00,737 not carry out airstrikes in Syria last 345 00:13:00,737 --> 00:13:04,179 night . Thank you , Sabrina . So , um , 346 00:13:04,219 --> 00:13:06,650 the Vice President Harris said recently 347 00:13:06,659 --> 00:13:08,826 in an interview that she looked at the 348 00:13:08,826 --> 00:13:10,992 maps and she doesn't think there's any 349 00:13:10,992 --> 00:13:14,630 anywhere that 1.5 million , um , senior 350 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:16,739 refugees in Rafa can go to . Uh , 351 00:13:16,750 --> 00:13:18,830 however , we still hear from you and 352 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:20,951 she thinks that any operation in Rafa 353 00:13:20,951 --> 00:13:23,062 will be in state . We still hear from 354 00:13:23,062 --> 00:13:25,580 you , uh , in the Pentagon that , um , 355 00:13:25,590 --> 00:13:28,770 for this operation , uh to , uh , go , 356 00:13:28,780 --> 00:13:30,836 you know , to go forward , we need a 357 00:13:30,836 --> 00:13:33,219 credible plan to uh protect civilians , 358 00:13:33,229 --> 00:13:35,919 move them around . Which one is the 359 00:13:35,929 --> 00:13:37,929 policy of this administration that 360 00:13:37,940 --> 00:13:40,179 there could be a plan to assault Rafa 361 00:13:40,299 --> 00:13:43,010 or there can be a plan because these 362 00:13:43,140 --> 00:13:46,109 1.5 million can go anywhere . I don't 363 00:13:46,119 --> 00:13:48,286 think there's any daylight to what the 364 00:13:48,286 --> 00:13:50,286 vice president has said to what the 365 00:13:50,286 --> 00:13:52,341 secretary has said and reiterated at 366 00:13:52,341 --> 00:13:54,397 the top of his meeting with Minister 367 00:13:54,397 --> 00:13:56,452 Gallant . Um , we've been very clear 368 00:13:56,452 --> 00:13:58,895 that any major ground operation within 369 00:13:58,905 --> 00:14:01,364 Rafah , um , that does not consider the 370 00:14:01,375 --> 00:14:03,486 protection of innocent civilians that 371 00:14:03,486 --> 00:14:05,486 are there . You know , that there's 372 00:14:05,486 --> 00:14:07,597 over 1 million people that are , um , 373 00:14:07,597 --> 00:14:09,597 sheltering in Rafah . Um , can't go 374 00:14:09,597 --> 00:14:11,931 forward . Um , so we've been very clear , 375 00:14:11,931 --> 00:14:11,125 I think the vice president made that 376 00:14:11,135 --> 00:14:13,246 very clear . Um , and that's what you 377 00:14:13,246 --> 00:14:15,357 saw . The secretary also reiterate in 378 00:14:15,357 --> 00:14:17,468 his meeting with Minister Gallant and 379 00:14:17,468 --> 00:14:17,364 something that I read out at the top of 380 00:14:17,375 --> 00:14:20,614 uh at this briefing , did the secretary 381 00:14:20,625 --> 00:14:23,525 hear any plan from Gallant about uh 382 00:14:23,575 --> 00:14:25,924 potential operation uh in Rafah , 383 00:14:26,340 --> 00:14:29,280 Minister Gallant um broadly highlighted 384 00:14:29,289 --> 00:14:31,122 their thinking on how they would 385 00:14:31,122 --> 00:14:32,956 approach Rafa . Uh The secretary 386 00:14:32,956 --> 00:14:35,067 certainly appreciated the opportunity 387 00:14:35,067 --> 00:14:37,349 to continue to transit through the Red 388 00:14:37,359 --> 00:14:40,609 Sea . We see um you know , uh a 389 00:14:40,789 --> 00:14:42,799 significant amount of commerce that 390 00:14:42,809 --> 00:14:45,031 continues to flow through the Red Sea . 391 00:14:45,031 --> 00:14:47,599 Um This is an incredibly important uh 392 00:14:47,609 --> 00:14:49,780 passageway for , for ships and for 393 00:14:49,789 --> 00:14:52,070 commerce and um through operation 394 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,690 prosperity guardian . Uh We continue to 395 00:14:54,700 --> 00:14:57,770 stand by and uphold the uh freedom of 396 00:14:57,780 --> 00:15:00,010 navigation . Um You see that uh being 397 00:15:00,020 --> 00:15:02,187 done almost every single day and we're 398 00:15:02,187 --> 00:15:04,353 very proud of our efforts there . Ok . 399 00:15:04,353 --> 00:15:08,190 Yeah , for 2000 Italy . So we have um 400 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,559 Cardinal um Tsui uh the Secretary of 401 00:15:11,570 --> 00:15:13,459 State of the Vatican traveling to 402 00:15:13,459 --> 00:15:16,000 Moscow and then Ukraine and then here 403 00:15:16,010 --> 00:15:18,450 in Washington in the past month , tried 404 00:15:18,460 --> 00:15:20,700 to set up um to , to , to do an intense 405 00:15:20,710 --> 00:15:24,010 diplomatic action to find peace . Um 406 00:15:24,020 --> 00:15:26,076 But nothing really moved and then we 407 00:15:26,076 --> 00:15:28,229 have the Pope uh a few days ago uh 408 00:15:28,239 --> 00:15:30,669 talking about um a white flag in 409 00:15:30,679 --> 00:15:34,539 Ukraine . Um um So like in a way that 410 00:15:34,549 --> 00:15:36,716 Ukraine might need to give up a little 411 00:15:36,716 --> 00:15:38,969 bit to , to , to , to go toward peace . 412 00:15:38,979 --> 00:15:42,070 So what is um what's the Pentagon 413 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,469 believe that the role of the Vatican 414 00:15:44,479 --> 00:15:47,650 should be in finding peace or if there 415 00:15:47,659 --> 00:15:49,826 is any comment from the Pentagon , you 416 00:15:49,826 --> 00:15:52,048 know , II , I don't really have much to 417 00:15:52,048 --> 00:15:54,103 add here . All I can tell you is our 418 00:15:54,103 --> 00:15:56,048 efforts when it comes to Ukraine , 419 00:15:56,048 --> 00:15:58,103 should we get a supplemental package 420 00:15:58,103 --> 00:15:59,881 from Congress ? We are going to 421 00:15:59,881 --> 00:16:01,937 continue to arm Ukraine with what it 422 00:16:01,937 --> 00:16:03,659 needs on the battlefield as it 423 00:16:03,659 --> 00:16:05,715 continues to fight for its sovereign 424 00:16:05,715 --> 00:16:09,174 territory , the role of the Vatican . I , 425 00:16:09,445 --> 00:16:11,334 I can only speak on behalf of the 426 00:16:11,334 --> 00:16:13,965 department and sure , now it's about 427 00:16:13,974 --> 00:16:17,275 Poland . Poland said about 428 00:16:17,284 --> 00:16:20,445 shooting missiles from Ukraine from 429 00:16:20,455 --> 00:16:23,200 Russia . Uh It was , uh , on the news 430 00:16:23,210 --> 00:16:26,090 in Europe . Um , what is the position 431 00:16:26,099 --> 00:16:29,049 of the Pentagon about a foreign state 432 00:16:29,059 --> 00:16:31,690 like Poland , bring the NATO maybe in 433 00:16:31,700 --> 00:16:34,429 war , a war if they shoot a , a missile 434 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,662 missile from Ukraine from , from Russia 435 00:16:36,662 --> 00:16:40,530 on Ukraine . I , I'm , I'm , uh trying 436 00:16:40,539 --> 00:16:42,817 to follow , I haven't seen exactly the , 437 00:16:42,817 --> 00:16:45,095 uh , what you're being referenced . Um , 438 00:16:45,095 --> 00:16:47,206 what I can tell you is that what this 439 00:16:47,206 --> 00:16:49,317 administration has said repeatedly is 440 00:16:49,317 --> 00:16:51,483 that we will defend every inch of NATO 441 00:16:51,483 --> 00:16:53,650 uh should a NATO ally be attacked ? Uh 442 00:16:53,650 --> 00:16:55,761 We certainly don't want to see that , 443 00:16:55,761 --> 00:16:57,983 but we will defend every inch of NATO . 444 00:16:57,983 --> 00:16:59,983 Um Our priority right now is making 445 00:16:59,983 --> 00:17:02,150 sure that Ukraine has what it needs on 446 00:17:02,150 --> 00:17:04,372 the battlefield . Um As you know , we , 447 00:17:04,372 --> 00:17:07,010 we pushed out an emergency presidential 448 00:17:07,020 --> 00:17:09,160 drawdown authority a few weeks ago to 449 00:17:09,170 --> 00:17:11,859 give Ukraine an urgent need of um 450 00:17:11,869 --> 00:17:15,530 security assistance . Um We are hopeful 451 00:17:15,540 --> 00:17:17,930 that Congress will pass a S no , last 452 00:17:17,939 --> 00:17:20,020 week we put out . Um or I think I'm 453 00:17:20,030 --> 00:17:22,280 sorry , Centcom put out um in one of 454 00:17:22,290 --> 00:17:24,512 their statements that um I believe five 455 00:17:24,512 --> 00:17:26,930 bundles had a similar malfunction and 456 00:17:26,939 --> 00:17:29,161 that the parachutes didn't deploy . But 457 00:17:29,161 --> 00:17:31,329 for more , um you know , for more 458 00:17:31,339 --> 00:17:33,506 specifics I would direct you to them . 459 00:17:33,506 --> 00:17:36,250 Um And then in terms of , I'm so sorry , 460 00:17:36,260 --> 00:17:39,469 your Army Corps of Engineers . So um we 461 00:17:39,479 --> 00:17:41,368 are in touch with state and local 462 00:17:41,368 --> 00:17:43,423 officials we haven't received or the 463 00:17:43,423 --> 00:17:45,646 Army Corps of Engineers hasn't received 464 00:17:45,646 --> 00:17:47,590 an official request . Um I believe 465 00:17:47,590 --> 00:17:49,812 right now the focus is really on search 466 00:17:49,812 --> 00:17:51,812 and rescue . Um But once we receive 467 00:17:51,812 --> 00:17:54,035 those requests , we'll keep you updated 468 00:17:54,035 --> 00:17:56,201 in the coming days and weeks as um you 469 00:17:56,201 --> 00:17:58,312 know , those requests come in and the 470 00:17:58,312 --> 00:17:58,140 mission could change . Um I'm gonna go 471 00:17:58,150 --> 00:18:00,150 to the phones and then have to come 472 00:18:00,150 --> 00:18:02,317 back in the room . Uh Jeff Schole task 473 00:18:02,317 --> 00:18:05,459 and purpose . Thank you . I'm just a 474 00:18:05,469 --> 00:18:07,579 routine check . Is there anything 475 00:18:07,589 --> 00:18:09,756 different about the US footprint in or 476 00:18:09,756 --> 00:18:12,689 have any US troops left ? Has anything 477 00:18:12,699 --> 00:18:14,680 changed ? Thanks , Jeff for the 478 00:18:14,689 --> 00:18:16,856 question . No , no updates and nothing 479 00:18:16,859 --> 00:18:18,719 new since we last spoke or , and 480 00:18:18,729 --> 00:18:21,670 briefed uh earlier this week . Uh Next 481 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,458 question from Sam US N I News . 482 00:18:25,420 --> 00:18:28,329 Hey , Sabrina . Um Are we seeing , um 483 00:18:28,339 --> 00:18:30,450 are y'all seeing any uh uh additional 484 00:18:30,450 --> 00:18:32,790 action from the Houthis in the Indian 485 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,449 Ocean ? That was a big threat um that 486 00:18:35,459 --> 00:18:37,626 they had made uh in the last couple of 487 00:18:37,626 --> 00:18:39,848 weeks that they were gonna be expanding 488 00:18:39,848 --> 00:18:41,626 operations to threaten merchant 489 00:18:41,626 --> 00:18:43,737 shipping out there . And then uh have 490 00:18:43,737 --> 00:18:45,969 you all had any determination about 491 00:18:45,979 --> 00:18:48,146 whether the strike on the Chinese ship 492 00:18:48,146 --> 00:18:50,368 by the Houthis was , was intentional or 493 00:18:50,368 --> 00:18:53,500 an accident ? Thanks . Um Thanks Sam 494 00:18:53,510 --> 00:18:55,399 for the question . Um in terms of 495 00:18:55,399 --> 00:18:58,060 expanding uh Houthi operations into the 496 00:18:58,069 --> 00:19:00,013 uh into the Indian Ocean . I would 497 00:19:00,013 --> 00:19:02,125 direct you to them to speak to that . 498 00:19:02,125 --> 00:19:04,180 Um We have seen mainly their efforts 499 00:19:04,180 --> 00:19:07,270 focused into uh the Red Sea , the Gulf 500 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:10,760 of Aden and that , that BA M area . Um 501 00:19:10,770 --> 00:19:13,979 But again , uh we continue to monitor 502 00:19:13,989 --> 00:19:16,100 the threats from the Houthis . You've 503 00:19:16,100 --> 00:19:18,322 seen us conduct uh dynamic strikes when 504 00:19:18,322 --> 00:19:21,979 it comes to um uh seeing um 505 00:19:22,369 --> 00:19:24,591 their capabilities present themselves . 506 00:19:24,591 --> 00:19:26,813 Uh You saw we've done that , you know , 507 00:19:26,890 --> 00:19:29,599 pretty much on a consistent basis . Um 508 00:19:29,609 --> 00:19:31,720 But again , I would direct you to the 509 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:33,969 Houthis to speak to any uh change in 510 00:19:33,979 --> 00:19:36,160 their posture or operations . Um in 511 00:19:36,170 --> 00:19:38,392 terms of the PR C ship , you know , I , 512 00:19:38,392 --> 00:19:40,910 I can't , I can't say that they knew or 513 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:44,060 didn't know that that was um a Chinese 514 00:19:44,069 --> 00:19:46,574 ship or flagged . Um What I can't say 515 00:19:46,584 --> 00:19:48,751 is that we saw very publicly that they 516 00:19:48,751 --> 00:19:50,973 said that they were not going to attack 517 00:19:50,973 --> 00:19:53,305 um PR C or Russian ships and yet they 518 00:19:53,314 --> 00:19:56,635 did . Um So just another reminder that 519 00:19:56,694 --> 00:19:58,861 uh we have more than 50 countries with 520 00:19:58,861 --> 00:20:01,083 equities that can fix on that . Um What 521 00:20:01,083 --> 00:20:03,250 I can tell you is that , you know , we 522 00:20:03,250 --> 00:20:06,540 operated under a short term cr or , you 523 00:20:06,550 --> 00:20:09,459 know , multiple CRS for , I think over 524 00:20:09,469 --> 00:20:11,580 six months , uh , which certainly set 525 00:20:11,580 --> 00:20:13,802 us back , not only in what we were able 526 00:20:13,802 --> 00:20:15,969 to spend , but in new programs that we 527 00:20:15,969 --> 00:20:17,636 were able to start off , um , 528 00:20:17,636 --> 00:20:19,802 essentially operating under CR is like 529 00:20:19,939 --> 00:20:22,161 operating with one arm tied behind your 530 00:20:22,161 --> 00:20:24,217 back , you're just not able to do it 531 00:20:24,217 --> 00:20:26,050 effectively . Um And so for more 532 00:20:26,050 --> 00:20:28,272 specifics on , you know , what the Navy 533 00:20:28,272 --> 00:20:30,272 is looking for and , and , um , for 534 00:20:30,272 --> 00:20:32,439 their programs , I would direct you to 535 00:20:32,439 --> 00:20:34,606 them , but just broadly speaking , you 536 00:20:34,606 --> 00:20:36,661 know , we are six months late , um , 537 00:20:36,661 --> 00:20:38,772 into having uh an fy 24 budget . Uh , 538 00:20:38,772 --> 00:20:42,670 we're heading into fy 25 . Um So you'll 539 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:44,736 appreciate that , you know , many of 540 00:20:44,736 --> 00:20:46,402 our , you've seen many people 541 00:20:46,402 --> 00:20:48,347 testifying on the hill in terms of 542 00:20:48,347 --> 00:20:50,569 their postures , uh hearings , we still 543 00:20:50,569 --> 00:20:50,530 don't have a supplemental . So all I 544 00:20:50,540 --> 00:20:52,869 can say is that um we continue to urge 545 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:54,602 Congress to give us an on time 546 00:20:54,602 --> 00:20:58,579 appropriations . Yeah , lo um going 547 00:20:58,589 --> 00:21:01,229 back to uh Baltimore , there had been 548 00:21:01,239 --> 00:21:03,072 no request from any of the other 549 00:21:03,072 --> 00:21:05,239 services and has the Maryland National 550 00:21:05,239 --> 00:21:07,072 Guard been providing any kind of 551 00:21:07,072 --> 00:21:09,239 assistance as well ? Um Well , for the 552 00:21:09,239 --> 00:21:11,517 Maryland National Guard , you know , I , 553 00:21:11,517 --> 00:21:13,683 I , I'm not , uh I would direct you to 554 00:21:13,683 --> 00:21:13,430 Maryland to speak more to that from a 555 00:21:13,439 --> 00:21:15,550 department standpoint . Um We haven't 556 00:21:15,550 --> 00:21:18,000 received um formal requests yet . We 557 00:21:18,010 --> 00:21:20,066 are in touch as I mentioned , the um 558 00:21:20,066 --> 00:21:22,288 commanding general of the Army Corps of 559 00:21:22,288 --> 00:21:24,454 Engineers is in touch with the port of 560 00:21:24,454 --> 00:21:27,150 Baltimore . Um Right now , the , the 561 00:21:27,170 --> 00:21:29,319 mission that they are focused on is 562 00:21:29,329 --> 00:21:31,790 really search and rescue as things 563 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:34,140 develop and change . Um When we get 564 00:21:34,150 --> 00:21:36,372 those requests , we'll keep you updated 565 00:21:36,372 --> 00:21:38,317 and you know , the coming days and 566 00:21:38,317 --> 00:21:40,539 weeks on , on what our assistance looks 567 00:21:40,539 --> 00:21:42,539 like and going back to your opening 568 00:21:42,539 --> 00:21:44,706 statement about the healthcare numbers 569 00:21:44,706 --> 00:21:46,761 for out of state visits . Um I think 570 00:21:46,761 --> 00:21:48,989 the Secretary Institute of that policy 571 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,640 in October of 2022 . Your numbers are 572 00:21:51,650 --> 00:21:55,119 from June to January , is that right ? 573 00:21:55,410 --> 00:21:58,020 So , um the numbers are what I read out 574 00:21:58,030 --> 00:22:00,197 was uh approximately six months and it 575 00:22:00,197 --> 00:22:03,900 was from um June through 576 00:22:03,910 --> 00:22:07,479 December 2023 . So this follows , sorry , 577 00:22:07,489 --> 00:22:10,310 go ahead . His numbers from January to 578 00:22:10,319 --> 00:22:12,599 June 2023 or is this the first time 579 00:22:12,609 --> 00:22:14,776 that you're disclosing these numbers ? 580 00:22:14,776 --> 00:22:18,089 This is um the the actual travel 581 00:22:18,099 --> 00:22:20,043 policy when it was announced , you 582 00:22:20,050 --> 00:22:22,060 might remember followed the Dobbs 583 00:22:22,069 --> 00:22:25,209 decision . Um Services had um around 584 00:22:25,219 --> 00:22:27,330 August to start implementing how they 585 00:22:27,330 --> 00:22:29,989 would track these policies , but some 586 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,222 were able to do it , you know , earlier 587 00:22:32,222 --> 00:22:34,333 than that formal deadline . So that's 588 00:22:34,333 --> 00:22:36,389 why this is approximately a snapshot 589 00:22:36,389 --> 00:22:39,349 between June and December 2023 of that 590 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:42,959 reporting period situation across 591 00:22:42,969 --> 00:22:45,739 Gaza and threats to regional security . 592 00:22:46,130 --> 00:22:48,297 The secretary stressed that the United 593 00:22:48,297 --> 00:22:50,019 States and Israel have a moral 594 00:22:50,019 --> 00:22:51,908 imperative and a shared strategic 595 00:22:51,908 --> 00:22:53,963 interest in safeguarding civilians . 596 00:22:53,963 --> 00:22:56,186 Noting that any assault on Rafah should 597 00:22:56,186 --> 00:22:58,241 not be preceded , should not proceed 598 00:22:58,241 --> 00:23:00,439 without a credible and implement plan 599 00:23:00,530 --> 00:23:02,086 that ensures the safety and 600 00:23:02,086 --> 00:23:04,030 humanitarian support for civilians 601 00:23:04,030 --> 00:23:06,750 sheltering there . The secretary also 602 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:09,069 urged Minister Gallant to expand entry 603 00:23:09,079 --> 00:23:11,589 points for humanitarian assistance and 604 00:23:11,599 --> 00:23:13,766 address distribution challenges inside 605 00:23:13,766 --> 00:23:15,949 of Gaza . He also reiterated the 606 00:23:15,959 --> 00:23:18,126 department's commitment to establish a 607 00:23:18,126 --> 00:23:20,292 temporary maritime corridor to provide 608 00:23:20,292 --> 00:23:22,403 humanitarian assistance to the people 609 00:23:22,403 --> 00:23:25,579 of Gaza separate but related between 610 00:23:25,589 --> 00:23:28,010 March 2nd and today , us Central 611 00:23:28,020 --> 00:23:30,530 Command has conducted 17 assistance , 612 00:23:30,540 --> 00:23:33,010 airdrops into Gaza with more than 613 00:23:33,020 --> 00:23:36,180 470,000 culturally appropriate pork , 614 00:23:36,189 --> 00:23:38,550 free meals and over eight tons of food 615 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:41,270 items such as rice , flour , pasta and 616 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:44,260 canned food as always , safety is a top 617 00:23:44,270 --> 00:23:46,381 priority when planning these airdrops 618 00:23:46,670 --> 00:23:48,930 of note during yesterday's humanitarian 619 00:23:48,939 --> 00:23:51,229 airdrop which included approximately 80 620 00:23:51,239 --> 00:23:53,609 bundles , three bundles were reported 621 00:23:53,619 --> 00:23:55,786 to have had parachute malfunctions and 622 00:23:55,786 --> 00:23:57,897 landed in the water . It is important 623 00:23:57,897 --> 00:24:00,008 to note that drop zones are chosen to 624 00:24:00,008 --> 00:24:01,730 mitigate potential failures of 625 00:24:01,730 --> 00:24:03,579 parachutes to deploy . These 626 00:24:03,589 --> 00:24:06,160 humanitarian aid drops occur over water 627 00:24:06,170 --> 00:24:08,114 and the wind causes the bundles to 628 00:24:08,114 --> 00:24:10,170 drift over to land in the event of a 629 00:24:10,170 --> 00:24:12,170 parachute malfunction . The bundles 630 00:24:12,170 --> 00:24:14,699 land in the water while only one part 631 00:24:14,709 --> 00:24:16,765 of the broader humanitarian effort , 632 00:24:16,765 --> 00:24:19,209 these airdrops are an expedient means 633 00:24:19,219 --> 00:24:21,719 to deliver critical aid to Gaza . As 634 00:24:21,729 --> 00:24:23,896 you've heard us say , we are exploring 635 00:24:23,896 --> 00:24:26,007 other options to increase the flow of 636 00:24:26,007 --> 00:24:28,007 aid with our partners including the 637 00:24:28,007 --> 00:24:30,229 Maritime Corridor , which we previously 638 00:24:30,229 --> 00:24:32,390 announced and switching gears . Last 639 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:34,178 year , the department announced 640 00:24:34,178 --> 00:24:36,178 policies authorizing administrative 641 00:24:36,178 --> 00:24:37,900 absences as well as travel and 642 00:24:37,900 --> 00:24:39,956 transportation allowances that would 643 00:24:39,956 --> 00:24:41,733 allow service members and their 644 00:24:41,733 --> 00:24:43,567 dependents access to non covered 645 00:24:43,567 --> 00:24:45,789 reproductive health care . This type of 646 00:24:45,789 --> 00:24:47,956 care includes non covered abortion and 647 00:24:47,956 --> 00:24:50,540 assisted reproductive technology such 648 00:24:50,550 --> 00:24:52,739 as in vitro fertilization , ovarian 649 00:24:52,750 --> 00:24:55,560 stimulations and egg retrieval . These 650 00:24:55,569 --> 00:24:57,979 policies ensure , ensure that service 651 00:24:57,989 --> 00:25:00,211 members and their families are afforded 652 00:25:00,211 --> 00:25:02,045 the time and flexibility to make 653 00:25:02,045 --> 00:25:04,156 private health care decisions as well 654 00:25:04,156 --> 00:25:06,156 as supporting access to non covered 655 00:25:06,156 --> 00:25:08,322 reproductive health care regardless of 656 00:25:08,322 --> 00:25:10,433 where they are stationed . Today , we 657 00:25:10,433 --> 00:25:12,378 are releasing data of the cost and 658 00:25:12,378 --> 00:25:14,267 usage of these policies from June 659 00:25:14,267 --> 00:25:17,189 through December 2023 for the travel 660 00:25:17,199 --> 00:25:19,630 and transportation policy . The policy 661 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:22,660 was used 12 times to access non covered 662 00:25:22,670 --> 00:25:25,003 reproductive health care . So I'm sorry , 663 00:25:25,003 --> 00:25:27,226 wait , hold on , sorry . Did you have a 664 00:25:27,226 --> 00:25:29,281 follow up ? No , no , that's it . It 665 00:25:29,281 --> 00:25:31,448 kind of clarifies because it seemed to 666 00:25:31,448 --> 00:25:33,392 have been like a six month , seven 667 00:25:33,392 --> 00:25:35,503 month lag between information there . 668 00:25:35,503 --> 00:25:37,726 Yeah , sorry . So is it accurate to say 669 00:25:37,726 --> 00:25:39,670 that all of those holds by Senator 670 00:25:39,670 --> 00:25:41,837 Tuberville were basically over 12 uses 671 00:25:41,837 --> 00:25:45,300 of dod S policy . That's 672 00:25:45,310 --> 00:25:48,640 correct for six months and the policy 673 00:25:48,650 --> 00:25:50,817 included just , uh , it's been a while 674 00:25:50,817 --> 00:25:53,039 since we talked about this . It was the 675 00:25:53,039 --> 00:25:55,150 travel costs . So any sort of airfare 676 00:25:55,150 --> 00:25:57,380 or hotel or can you just what it was to 677 00:25:57,390 --> 00:26:01,020 travel just out of um state ? 678 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:04,439 Um So it was uh if a service member 679 00:26:04,569 --> 00:26:08,160 um needed to travel from , well , I 680 00:26:08,170 --> 00:26:10,337 gave that example like home station to 681 00:26:10,337 --> 00:26:12,920 another state to receive care and back . 682 00:26:12,930 --> 00:26:16,219 It's just that travel portion . Ok . So , 683 00:26:16,489 --> 00:26:18,520 but did you cover health costs or 684 00:26:18,530 --> 00:26:20,599 anything like that or not ? To my 685 00:26:20,609 --> 00:26:23,119 knowledge it was , yeah , is calculated . 686 00:26:23,260 --> 00:26:25,410 Uh Let me take that question just for 687 00:26:25,420 --> 00:26:28,479 any more specifics on , on what that um 688 00:26:28,900 --> 00:26:31,011 if there's like a further breakdown I 689 00:26:31,011 --> 00:26:33,178 can provide . But uh to my knowledge , 690 00:26:33,178 --> 00:26:35,289 it was just the actual transportation 691 00:26:35,289 --> 00:26:37,344 and travel and just one more clarity 692 00:26:37,650 --> 00:26:39,872 does not mean these were 12 abortions . 693 00:26:39,872 --> 00:26:41,928 This could have been someone getting 694 00:26:41,928 --> 00:26:45,050 IVF or That's right . So um the policy 695 00:26:45,060 --> 00:26:47,410 um and I think I might have mentioned 696 00:26:47,420 --> 00:26:49,753 this is at the top , but that's correct . 697 00:26:49,753 --> 00:26:51,920 It does not necessarily mean that this 698 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:53,864 was um a service member using this 699 00:26:53,864 --> 00:26:56,089 travel transportation policy for um an 700 00:26:56,099 --> 00:26:58,650 abortion . This could have been um IVF 701 00:26:58,660 --> 00:27:02,010 treatment , um egg retrieval . Um 702 00:27:02,020 --> 00:27:04,209 Basically any type of non covered 703 00:27:04,219 --> 00:27:06,329 reproductive health service that the 704 00:27:06,339 --> 00:27:08,930 department does not , does not cover 705 00:27:08,939 --> 00:27:10,910 and is not available in his or her 706 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:13,219 state . Uh Yes . One more question at 707 00:27:13,229 --> 00:27:15,285 the back and then happy to come back 708 00:27:15,285 --> 00:27:17,340 here . One question on Iraq . Do you 709 00:27:17,340 --> 00:27:17,040 have any discussion with the Iraqi 710 00:27:17,050 --> 00:27:20,689 government about the past us led global 711 00:27:20,699 --> 00:27:23,060 correlation discussion or relationship ? 712 00:27:23,069 --> 00:27:25,069 Because what we hear from the Iraqi 713 00:27:25,069 --> 00:27:27,291 Prime Minister's office about his visit 714 00:27:27,291 --> 00:27:29,347 to the White House . He said that we 715 00:27:29,347 --> 00:27:31,347 are going to the Washington to talk 716 00:27:31,347 --> 00:27:34,689 about the past relations between us and 717 00:27:35,060 --> 00:27:38,319 Iraq , the Post US led coalition . Is 718 00:27:38,329 --> 00:27:40,496 there any discussion on that ? I don't 719 00:27:40,496 --> 00:27:42,496 have anything more for you . We are 720 00:27:42,496 --> 00:27:44,662 committed to the H MC . You've seen us 721 00:27:44,662 --> 00:27:47,810 continue to uh you know , engage in 722 00:27:47,819 --> 00:27:49,819 those dialogues . I just don't have 723 00:27:49,819 --> 00:27:52,041 more for you at this time . This H MC . 724 00:27:52,041 --> 00:27:52,020 They are not , they are not discussing 725 00:27:52,030 --> 00:27:55,780 about the past US led global coalition 726 00:27:55,790 --> 00:27:57,734 or they are just talking about the 727 00:27:57,734 --> 00:27:59,957 evolution of that mission for the White 728 00:27:59,957 --> 00:27:59,900 House meeting . I direct you to the 729 00:27:59,910 --> 00:28:02,188 White House for more specifics on that , 730 00:28:02,188 --> 00:28:04,188 the H MC meetings . Is that talking 731 00:28:04,188 --> 00:28:06,729 about the evolution of that concerns ? 732 00:28:06,739 --> 00:28:09,209 Um Is there a way to do it ? Um That's 733 00:28:09,219 --> 00:28:11,219 what we're having this conversation 734 00:28:11,219 --> 00:28:13,275 about . I don't have that answer for 735 00:28:13,275 --> 00:28:15,275 you right now , but um we certainly 736 00:28:15,275 --> 00:28:17,219 share the goal of dismantling this 737 00:28:17,219 --> 00:28:18,997 terrorist organization but also 738 00:28:18,997 --> 00:28:21,280 protecting the over 1 million people 739 00:28:21,290 --> 00:28:23,380 that are there , Laura . And then I 740 00:28:23,390 --> 00:28:26,989 will and yes , is it accurate that 741 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,400 Israel has asked the US to approve 742 00:28:29,410 --> 00:28:32,619 additional F-15 and F-35 fighter planes ? 743 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:35,050 And , and if so , is that something the 744 00:28:35,060 --> 00:28:37,171 US is considering doing ? Yeah , so I 745 00:28:37,171 --> 00:28:39,339 don't have more specifics to read out 746 00:28:39,349 --> 00:28:41,319 from the meeting . Um , security 747 00:28:41,329 --> 00:28:43,273 assistance was discussed . That is 748 00:28:43,273 --> 00:28:45,273 something that we have committed to 749 00:28:45,273 --> 00:28:47,329 providing to Israel . But um on more 750 00:28:47,329 --> 00:28:49,218 specifics and I think what you're 751 00:28:49,218 --> 00:28:51,551 referring to would also have to um , uh , 752 00:28:51,551 --> 00:28:53,607 falls under F MS , which is what the 753 00:28:53,607 --> 00:28:55,773 State Department would handle . So I'd 754 00:28:55,773 --> 00:28:57,940 also direct you there for them to , to 755 00:28:57,940 --> 00:29:00,162 talk more about that last question over 756 00:29:00,162 --> 00:29:02,440 here . Um , about uh the Baltimore bre , 757 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:04,218 uh There were some report about 758 00:29:04,218 --> 00:29:06,551 potential um , cyber attack on the ship . 759 00:29:06,551 --> 00:29:10,520 Does the dod um , um , ruled that 760 00:29:10,530 --> 00:29:13,729 out or investigating ? Uh I just don't 761 00:29:13,739 --> 00:29:15,517 have anything for you on that . 762 00:29:15,517 --> 00:29:17,517 Unfortunately , I saw some of those 763 00:29:17,517 --> 00:29:19,795 reports but II , I can't confirm those . 764 00:29:19,795 --> 00:29:19,869 All right . Thank you , everyone .