1 00:00:00,430 --> 00:00:02,652 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:02,652 --> 00:00:04,800 Just a few things . Thank you , sir . 3 00:00:04,949 --> 00:00:07,060 Just a few things at the top and then 4 00:00:07,060 --> 00:00:09,171 I'll get right to your questions . Uh 5 00:00:09,171 --> 00:00:11,338 First let me start with a brief update 6 00:00:11,338 --> 00:00:13,393 on the status of the joint logistics 7 00:00:13,393 --> 00:00:15,393 over the shore capability or J LOTS 8 00:00:15,393 --> 00:00:17,505 that we're establishing in support of 9 00:00:17,505 --> 00:00:19,560 humanitarian assistance efforts with 10 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:21,799 the USA ID and other partners . So my 11 00:00:21,809 --> 00:00:23,753 colleague Sabrina Singh briefed on 12 00:00:23,753 --> 00:00:25,865 Tuesday . The construction of the two 13 00:00:25,865 --> 00:00:27,920 portions of the J LOTS system , both 14 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,087 the floating pier and the Trident pier 15 00:00:30,087 --> 00:00:32,259 causeway have been completed and are 16 00:00:32,270 --> 00:00:34,326 currently positioned offshore at the 17 00:00:34,326 --> 00:00:36,759 port of Ashdod awaiting final movement . 18 00:00:37,229 --> 00:00:39,062 While I'm not going to provide a 19 00:00:39,062 --> 00:00:40,840 specific date , we expect these 20 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,062 temporary piers to be put into position 21 00:00:43,062 --> 00:00:44,951 in the very near future , pending 22 00:00:44,951 --> 00:00:46,618 suitable security and weather 23 00:00:46,618 --> 00:00:48,562 conditions . In the meantime , the 24 00:00:48,562 --> 00:00:50,720 motor vessel Sagamore departed Cyprus 25 00:00:50,729 --> 00:00:53,669 today loaded with humanitarian aid for 26 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:55,869 trans loading onto the motor vessel , 27 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:59,169 Roy P Benavidez which is currently off 28 00:00:59,180 --> 00:01:01,349 the coast of Ashdod to begin the 29 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,669 process of staging humanitarian aid . 30 00:01:04,419 --> 00:01:06,363 And once the floating pier and the 31 00:01:06,363 --> 00:01:08,363 Trident pier are in position , this 32 00:01:08,363 --> 00:01:10,475 will allow for the Benavidez to trans 33 00:01:10,475 --> 00:01:13,160 load load , the aid to logistics 34 00:01:13,169 --> 00:01:15,720 support vessels and delivery . While 35 00:01:15,730 --> 00:01:17,786 the motor vessel Sagamore is back in 36 00:01:17,786 --> 00:01:19,952 Cyprus to enable loading of additional 37 00:01:19,952 --> 00:01:21,949 aid . And as you are aware , is a 38 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,480 complex operation which requires close 39 00:01:24,489 --> 00:01:26,656 co ordination with many partners . The 40 00:01:26,656 --> 00:01:28,211 United States is joining an 41 00:01:28,211 --> 00:01:30,322 international community backed effort 42 00:01:30,322 --> 00:01:32,322 led by USA ID with support from the 43 00:01:32,322 --> 00:01:34,656 United Nations , the World Food Program , 44 00:01:34,656 --> 00:01:36,822 the Republic of Cyprus , other partner 45 00:01:36,822 --> 00:01:38,767 nations and the ID F to expand the 46 00:01:38,767 --> 00:01:41,180 delivery of humanitarian assistance via 47 00:01:41,190 --> 00:01:43,246 a maritime corridor to the people of 48 00:01:43,246 --> 00:01:45,699 Gaza . We're grateful for the continued 49 00:01:45,709 --> 00:01:47,931 partnership and cooper operation of all 50 00:01:47,931 --> 00:01:50,042 involved in this important effort and 51 00:01:50,042 --> 00:01:52,098 we'll be sure to keep you updated as 52 00:01:52,098 --> 00:01:54,265 the J lot system becomes operational . 53 00:01:54,540 --> 00:01:56,484 Switching gears . Secretary Austin 54 00:01:56,484 --> 00:01:58,373 hosted German Federal Minister of 55 00:01:58,373 --> 00:02:00,484 Defense Boris Pistorius today here in 56 00:02:00,484 --> 00:02:02,707 the Pentagon for a bilateral meeting to 57 00:02:02,707 --> 00:02:04,651 discuss ongoing efforts to support 58 00:02:04,651 --> 00:02:06,818 Ukraine in their fight against Russian 59 00:02:06,818 --> 00:02:08,707 aggression . The two leaders also 60 00:02:08,707 --> 00:02:10,762 exchanged views on the upcoming 75th 61 00:02:10,762 --> 00:02:12,873 anniversary NATO Washington summit in 62 00:02:12,873 --> 00:02:14,899 July and address broader security 63 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:17,000 issues to include challenges in the 64 00:02:17,009 --> 00:02:19,240 Indo Pacific region and our nation's 65 00:02:19,250 --> 00:02:21,500 mutual commitment to global stability 66 00:02:21,509 --> 00:02:23,889 and NATO strategic goals . A full 67 00:02:23,899 --> 00:02:26,121 readout from the meeting will be posted 68 00:02:26,121 --> 00:02:27,955 to the dod website later today . 69 00:02:28,110 --> 00:02:30,570 Following his meeting with Minister 70 00:02:30,580 --> 00:02:32,802 Pistorius Secretary Austin departed the 71 00:02:32,802 --> 00:02:34,858 Pentagon to travel to South Carolina 72 00:02:34,858 --> 00:02:36,913 where he'll deliver the commencement 73 00:02:36,913 --> 00:02:38,691 address at South Carolina State 74 00:02:38,691 --> 00:02:40,858 University tomorrow . He'll also visit 75 00:02:40,858 --> 00:02:43,024 Fort Jackson to meet with troops swear 76 00:02:43,024 --> 00:02:44,858 in some of our newest recruits , 77 00:02:44,858 --> 00:02:46,858 joining the US military and see the 78 00:02:46,858 --> 00:02:48,747 army's future soldier preparatory 79 00:02:48,747 --> 00:02:51,589 course . And finally , after joining 80 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,711 NATO last year , Finland forged a new 81 00:02:53,711 --> 00:02:55,933 tie with the Department of Defense when 82 00:02:55,933 --> 00:02:57,656 they signed their formal state 83 00:02:57,656 --> 00:02:59,878 partnership agreement with the Virginia 84 00:02:59,878 --> 00:03:01,656 National Guard at a ceremony in 85 00:03:01,656 --> 00:03:03,489 Helsinki on May 2nd , while only 86 00:03:03,489 --> 00:03:05,489 recently formalized the partnership 87 00:03:05,489 --> 00:03:07,656 between Finland and the Virginia Guard 88 00:03:07,656 --> 00:03:09,860 goes back to 2001 when the 29th 89 00:03:09,869 --> 00:03:12,036 Infantry Division of the Virginia Army 90 00:03:12,036 --> 00:03:14,036 Guard deployed with Finnish defense 91 00:03:14,036 --> 00:03:16,240 Forces as part of Stabilization Force 92 00:03:16,250 --> 00:03:19,000 10 in Bosnia , Herzegovina , the 93 00:03:19,009 --> 00:03:20,842 National Guard State partnership 94 00:03:20,842 --> 00:03:23,130 program now includes 89 partnerships 95 00:03:23,419 --> 00:03:25,779 with 106 nations around the globe . And 96 00:03:25,789 --> 00:03:27,900 I would encourage you to reach out to 97 00:03:27,900 --> 00:03:29,622 National Guard Bureau for more 98 00:03:29,622 --> 00:03:31,678 information with that . I'm happy to 99 00:03:31,678 --> 00:03:33,789 take your questions . We'll start off 100 00:03:33,789 --> 00:03:35,900 with Associated Press , Tara , thanks 101 00:03:35,900 --> 00:03:37,956 General Ryder . Um first on Rafa and 102 00:03:37,956 --> 00:03:40,039 then a second topic . The president 103 00:03:40,050 --> 00:03:42,161 yesterday said that depending on what 104 00:03:42,161 --> 00:03:45,000 happens in Rafah , he may also pause 105 00:03:45,009 --> 00:03:47,300 potentially artillery and weapons 106 00:03:47,309 --> 00:03:49,630 shipments to Israel . And a senior 107 00:03:49,639 --> 00:03:51,695 administration official said earlier 108 00:03:51,695 --> 00:03:54,190 this week that JM kits were possibly 109 00:03:54,199 --> 00:03:56,310 under consideration as something else 110 00:03:56,310 --> 00:03:58,477 that might be paused . Can you give us 111 00:03:58,477 --> 00:04:00,588 an update on the shipments that one , 112 00:04:00,588 --> 00:04:02,588 the £2000 and £500 bombs that are 113 00:04:02,588 --> 00:04:04,810 already paused and whether the Pentagon 114 00:04:04,810 --> 00:04:06,755 has received any requests to pause 115 00:04:06,755 --> 00:04:08,810 additional weapon shipments ? Yeah , 116 00:04:10,089 --> 00:04:12,256 you know , let me , let me just say up 117 00:04:12,256 --> 00:04:14,367 front Tara that , as you heard , both 118 00:04:14,367 --> 00:04:16,790 Secretary Austin and the president say 119 00:04:16,910 --> 00:04:19,779 our commitment to Israel's uh inherent 120 00:04:19,790 --> 00:04:22,068 right to self defense remains ironclad . 121 00:04:22,068 --> 00:04:23,901 And as you know , we've provided 122 00:04:23,901 --> 00:04:25,679 billions of dollars in security 123 00:04:25,679 --> 00:04:27,457 assistance to Israel . Uh we've 124 00:04:27,457 --> 00:04:29,346 supported their efforts to defend 125 00:04:29,346 --> 00:04:31,730 themselves uh most recently Iran's 126 00:04:31,739 --> 00:04:33,906 unprecedented attack . So there should 127 00:04:33,906 --> 00:04:36,128 be no question that we will continue to 128 00:04:36,128 --> 00:04:38,295 stand by Israel when it comes to their 129 00:04:38,295 --> 00:04:40,517 defense . Uh , also as Secretary Austin 130 00:04:40,517 --> 00:04:42,850 and the president highlighted yesterday , 131 00:04:42,850 --> 00:04:44,850 we're currently reviewing some near 132 00:04:44,850 --> 00:04:44,829 term security assistance . Uh , 133 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:47,489 specifically , we paused one shipment 134 00:04:47,500 --> 00:04:51,220 of weapons consisting of £1,802,000 135 00:04:51,230 --> 00:04:54,820 bombs and 1705 £100 bombs . Uh 136 00:04:54,829 --> 00:04:57,051 We've not made a final determination on 137 00:04:57,051 --> 00:04:59,273 how to proceed with the shipment . Uh , 138 00:04:59,273 --> 00:05:01,440 and , uh , you know , not going to get 139 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:03,940 into hypotheticals . Um , again , we've 140 00:05:03,950 --> 00:05:05,894 been very clear on our views as it 141 00:05:05,894 --> 00:05:08,730 relates to , uh , Rafah and any ground 142 00:05:08,739 --> 00:05:10,961 operations there and I'll just leave it 143 00:05:10,970 --> 00:05:14,059 there . What would , um , I guess , 144 00:05:14,070 --> 00:05:16,500 determine your final decision on 145 00:05:16,510 --> 00:05:18,621 whether to send weapons , what do you 146 00:05:18,621 --> 00:05:20,788 need from Israel in order to send them 147 00:05:20,788 --> 00:05:23,010 weapons or to determine that you're not 148 00:05:23,010 --> 00:05:24,954 sending weapons ? Yeah , I'm not , 149 00:05:24,954 --> 00:05:24,040 again , I'm not going to get into 150 00:05:24,049 --> 00:05:26,269 hypotheticals . Uh , as I mentioned , 151 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:28,480 we've , we have , uh , paused one 152 00:05:28,489 --> 00:05:30,859 shipment . Um , and of course we're 153 00:05:30,869 --> 00:05:32,813 continuing to discuss with Israeli 154 00:05:32,813 --> 00:05:35,440 officials . Um , you know , their plans 155 00:05:35,450 --> 00:05:38,040 as it relates to Rafah and addressing 156 00:05:38,049 --> 00:05:41,100 the Hamas threat on a separate topic on 157 00:05:41,109 --> 00:05:43,549 Friday , a Florida sheriff's deputy 158 00:05:43,559 --> 00:05:46,079 shot and killed senior airman Roger 159 00:05:46,089 --> 00:05:48,200 Fortson . He was in his own off base 160 00:05:48,209 --> 00:05:51,040 apartment . Um , the deputy entered the 161 00:05:51,049 --> 00:05:53,309 apartment shot and killed him . Has 162 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:55,487 Secretary Austin been following this ? 163 00:05:55,487 --> 00:05:57,709 Is he concerned at all ? Has he reached 164 00:05:57,709 --> 00:05:59,820 out to the family ? And are there any 165 00:05:59,820 --> 00:06:01,987 kind of greater concerns about all the 166 00:06:01,987 --> 00:06:03,987 military personnel that live in off 167 00:06:03,987 --> 00:06:05,709 base housing when you have law 168 00:06:05,709 --> 00:06:07,764 enforcement coming , responding to a 169 00:06:07,764 --> 00:06:10,098 call ? Yeah . Well , first of all , the , 170 00:06:10,098 --> 00:06:12,042 the secretary is uh following this 171 00:06:12,042 --> 00:06:14,209 closely . Uh and , and I would like to 172 00:06:14,209 --> 00:06:16,098 offer our thoughts and prayers to 173 00:06:16,098 --> 00:06:18,098 Herman Fort's family . Uh We are of 174 00:06:18,098 --> 00:06:20,209 course saddened at the loss of one of 175 00:06:20,209 --> 00:06:22,153 our own . I know that his death is 176 00:06:22,153 --> 00:06:24,376 currently under investigation . So I'll 177 00:06:24,376 --> 00:06:26,542 have to refer you to the Florida civil 178 00:06:26,542 --> 00:06:28,542 authorities for any questions about 179 00:06:28,542 --> 00:06:30,764 what happened . But we do know that his 180 00:06:30,764 --> 00:06:32,764 family is grieving and we offer our 181 00:06:32,764 --> 00:06:34,487 sincere condolences . That's a 182 00:06:36,829 --> 00:06:38,885 little more detail on the pier . You 183 00:06:38,885 --> 00:06:41,107 said the Sagamore is underway , it load 184 00:06:41,109 --> 00:06:44,299 on to the benefits and will load on to 185 00:06:44,309 --> 00:06:46,660 smaller ships is that can you , so the 186 00:06:46,670 --> 00:06:48,781 way to think of this , Tom Sure , the 187 00:06:48,781 --> 00:06:50,948 way to think of this is in this period 188 00:06:50,948 --> 00:06:53,850 of time that we have before the P 189 00:06:53,859 --> 00:06:55,692 becomes operational . We , we're 190 00:06:55,692 --> 00:06:58,209 essentially using that time uh to get 191 00:06:58,220 --> 00:07:01,170 ahead . And uh since the Sagamore has 192 00:07:01,179 --> 00:07:03,170 been loaded uh with humanitarian 193 00:07:03,179 --> 00:07:05,839 assistance by trans loading that onto 194 00:07:05,850 --> 00:07:08,470 the Benavidez . Uh The Benavidez is 195 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:10,739 essentially in position to immediately 196 00:07:10,750 --> 00:07:13,339 start loading that onto the floating 197 00:07:13,350 --> 00:07:15,679 pier for subsequent shipment to the 198 00:07:15,690 --> 00:07:17,700 causeway and delivery to the shore 199 00:07:18,250 --> 00:07:21,029 since the Benavidez will be on the 200 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:23,459 scene , so to speak . Uh The day we 201 00:07:23,470 --> 00:07:25,303 pull the trigger and , and start 202 00:07:25,303 --> 00:07:27,369 operations that then frees up the 203 00:07:27,380 --> 00:07:29,630 Sagamore to go back to Cyprus to load 204 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:31,807 up with additional aid . And then once 205 00:07:31,807 --> 00:07:34,029 this process gets going , uh the way to 206 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:35,929 think of this is you'll have that 207 00:07:35,929 --> 00:07:37,984 floating pier several miles offshore 208 00:07:37,984 --> 00:07:40,660 ships will go directly from Cyprus to 209 00:07:40,670 --> 00:07:43,070 the floating pier to unload . But 210 00:07:43,079 --> 00:07:46,220 because we're again , waiting for the 211 00:07:46,230 --> 00:07:48,063 appropriate security and weather 212 00:07:48,063 --> 00:07:50,063 conditions to kick this off , we're 213 00:07:50,063 --> 00:07:52,286 going to use that time to our advantage 214 00:07:52,286 --> 00:07:54,341 to move forward will unload onto the 215 00:07:54,341 --> 00:07:56,341 pier itself , correct ? And then we 216 00:07:56,341 --> 00:07:58,341 know who will be driving the trucks 217 00:07:58,341 --> 00:08:00,429 along the causeway to the beach . So 218 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,029 there will be uh non us civilian 219 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,549 contractors uh that will be uh driving 220 00:08:06,559 --> 00:08:08,869 those vehicles on the causeway onto the 221 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:12,720 beach real quick on 222 00:08:12,730 --> 00:08:14,841 the , on the Benavides and all that . 223 00:08:14,841 --> 00:08:17,008 Is that , is that gonna be the regular 224 00:08:17,008 --> 00:08:19,230 rhythm for you all or is that just what 225 00:08:19,230 --> 00:08:21,452 you're gonna do to prime the pump , the 226 00:08:21,452 --> 00:08:23,674 pump ? So , so essentially after that , 227 00:08:23,674 --> 00:08:25,674 what will happen is uh the floating 228 00:08:25,674 --> 00:08:28,079 pier will be available for vessels to 229 00:08:28,089 --> 00:08:31,339 dock it to trans lo onto the logistics 230 00:08:31,350 --> 00:08:35,119 support field . Uh uh vessels . And so , 231 00:08:35,130 --> 00:08:37,219 um , you know , it , it could be the 232 00:08:37,229 --> 00:08:39,340 Benavides , it could be the Sago , it 233 00:08:39,340 --> 00:08:41,340 could be other ships again that are 234 00:08:41,340 --> 00:08:43,451 picking up aid in Cyprus and bringing 235 00:08:43,451 --> 00:08:45,618 it to that floating pier and then on , 236 00:08:45,618 --> 00:08:47,673 on , on , uh , the , the pause and , 237 00:08:47,673 --> 00:08:49,729 and some munitions . Um , you know , 238 00:08:49,729 --> 00:08:51,896 could you explain a little bit about , 239 00:08:51,896 --> 00:08:53,785 you know why those munitions were 240 00:08:53,785 --> 00:08:56,007 paused and , and give us a sense if you 241 00:08:56,007 --> 00:08:58,007 could , if , if Israel is trying to 242 00:08:58,007 --> 00:08:59,785 attack , you know , underground 243 00:08:59,785 --> 00:09:02,289 facilities used by Hamas , why those 244 00:09:02,299 --> 00:09:04,466 wouldn't be appropriate for , for that 245 00:09:04,466 --> 00:09:06,466 mission ? Well , a again , um , you 246 00:09:06,466 --> 00:09:08,521 know , as we assess the situation in 247 00:09:08,521 --> 00:09:11,859 Rafa , um , we made the decision to 248 00:09:11,869 --> 00:09:14,140 pause this one shipment . Uh , again , 249 00:09:14,150 --> 00:09:15,872 as I highlighted a final deter 250 00:09:15,872 --> 00:09:18,349 determination has not been made on how 251 00:09:18,359 --> 00:09:20,359 to proceed with that shipment , but 252 00:09:20,359 --> 00:09:22,415 specifically , uh , we're focused on 253 00:09:22,415 --> 00:09:24,780 the end use , uh , especially rather 254 00:09:24,789 --> 00:09:27,059 focused on the end use of the £2000 255 00:09:27,070 --> 00:09:29,126 bombs and the impact that they could 256 00:09:29,126 --> 00:09:31,292 have in a dense urban setting as we've 257 00:09:31,292 --> 00:09:33,969 seen in other parts of Gaza . So , uh , 258 00:09:33,979 --> 00:09:36,201 that's something that we'll continue to 259 00:09:36,201 --> 00:09:39,280 look at . Now again , uh , looking at 260 00:09:39,289 --> 00:09:41,345 the broader context of the US Israel 261 00:09:41,345 --> 00:09:43,567 relationship . As I highlighted , we're 262 00:09:43,567 --> 00:09:46,309 going to continue to support Israel and 263 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:48,690 its defensive needs in terms of , um , 264 00:09:48,989 --> 00:09:51,045 the capabilities they need to defend 265 00:09:51,045 --> 00:09:52,989 himself . So again , we're talking 266 00:09:52,989 --> 00:09:55,390 about one shipment consisting of those 267 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:58,309 £2000 and £500 bombs . Can 268 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,209 you say the last time there was a 269 00:10:02,209 --> 00:10:04,659 shipment of the £2000 bombs to Israel ? 270 00:10:04,719 --> 00:10:06,552 I don't have that information to 271 00:10:06,552 --> 00:10:08,830 provide . Thank you , General . So 272 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,007 yesterday , the president acknowledged 273 00:10:11,007 --> 00:10:13,007 that Palestinian civilians had been 274 00:10:13,007 --> 00:10:16,719 killed by us provided weapons . Um , do 275 00:10:16,729 --> 00:10:18,673 you have a number of how many , or 276 00:10:18,673 --> 00:10:20,840 assessments or how many civilians were 277 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,007 killed by these weapons ? And does the 278 00:10:23,007 --> 00:10:25,173 secretary feel any moral obligation to 279 00:10:25,173 --> 00:10:27,479 kind of make that assessment ? Um I , I 280 00:10:27,489 --> 00:10:30,760 don't have a , a number of f uh again , 281 00:10:30,770 --> 00:10:32,881 as we've said from the beginning , uh 282 00:10:32,881 --> 00:10:35,048 the loss of any innocent lives in this 283 00:10:35,048 --> 00:10:37,048 conflict are tragic . Uh We've been 284 00:10:37,049 --> 00:10:39,229 very clear from the start uh with our 285 00:10:39,239 --> 00:10:42,460 Israeli partners uh that we expect that 286 00:10:42,469 --> 00:10:44,636 they will employ any capabilities . We 287 00:10:44,636 --> 00:10:46,858 provide them in accordance with the law 288 00:10:46,858 --> 00:10:49,025 of armed conflict uh and international 289 00:10:49,025 --> 00:10:51,080 humanitarian law and that has been a 290 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:53,969 consistent uh and um steady 291 00:10:53,979 --> 00:10:56,090 conversation that we've had with them 292 00:10:56,090 --> 00:10:58,368 from the beginning and it continues to , 293 00:10:58,368 --> 00:11:00,479 to now . Uh so again , as they 294 00:11:00,489 --> 00:11:02,880 contemplate how they will approach 295 00:11:02,890 --> 00:11:06,409 Hamas and Ra and Rafah , we 296 00:11:06,419 --> 00:11:08,929 certainly have provided our thoughts 297 00:11:08,940 --> 00:11:10,890 and how to best do that to take 298 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:12,840 civilian safety and humanitarian 299 00:11:12,849 --> 00:11:14,849 assistance into account . And we'll 300 00:11:14,849 --> 00:11:17,016 continue to have those conversations , 301 00:11:17,016 --> 00:11:19,016 you're talking about expectations . 302 00:11:19,016 --> 00:11:21,293 However , as you just mentioned before , 303 00:11:21,293 --> 00:11:23,405 that , one of the consideration about 304 00:11:23,405 --> 00:11:26,549 the £2000 bombs is uh the density of 305 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:28,781 the population , Rafa and how they were 306 00:11:28,781 --> 00:11:31,003 used before in another location by , by 307 00:11:31,003 --> 00:11:33,226 Israel . Why didn't you restrict before 308 00:11:33,226 --> 00:11:35,337 the use of these bombs ? Knowing that 309 00:11:35,337 --> 00:11:37,115 Gaza is one of the most densely 310 00:11:37,115 --> 00:11:40,179 populated areas in the world . And were 311 00:11:40,190 --> 00:11:42,412 you expecting something different ? Was 312 00:11:42,412 --> 00:11:44,634 it a mistake not to restrict the use of 313 00:11:44,634 --> 00:11:46,857 these bombs in Gaza ? Well , you know , 314 00:11:46,857 --> 00:11:49,134 look a couple of things . First of all , 315 00:11:49,134 --> 00:11:51,357 again , we've been very consistent from 316 00:11:51,357 --> 00:11:53,690 the beginning , uh , in terms of how we , 317 00:11:53,690 --> 00:11:56,270 uh believe that Israel should approach 318 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,669 addressing the threat of Hamas uh about 319 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:00,789 the importance of precision in going 320 00:12:00,799 --> 00:12:03,020 after Hamas . And we've also been very 321 00:12:03,030 --> 00:12:05,030 clear that more needs to be done to 322 00:12:05,030 --> 00:12:06,919 ensure the safety and security of 323 00:12:06,919 --> 00:12:09,197 civilians , innocent civilians in Gaza . 324 00:12:09,590 --> 00:12:11,710 Um You know , and , and I , I don't 325 00:12:11,719 --> 00:12:13,663 have to tell you again , the , the 326 00:12:13,663 --> 00:12:16,260 challenging uh environment here uh with 327 00:12:16,270 --> 00:12:19,280 an adversary that again , embeds itself 328 00:12:19,289 --> 00:12:21,549 amongst the civilian population that 329 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:25,109 said , we absolutely do not want to see 330 00:12:25,119 --> 00:12:27,760 innocent lives lost in this tragic 331 00:12:27,770 --> 00:12:29,826 conflict . So again , we're going to 332 00:12:29,826 --> 00:12:32,239 continue to consult with Israel uh as 333 00:12:32,250 --> 00:12:35,099 they look at how to address Hamas in 334 00:12:35,109 --> 00:12:37,650 Rafah . Uh and we will continue to do 335 00:12:37,659 --> 00:12:40,619 what we can to not only ensure that 336 00:12:40,630 --> 00:12:42,852 civilian safety is taken into account , 337 00:12:42,852 --> 00:12:45,229 but also look at how we can continue to 338 00:12:45,239 --> 00:12:47,350 get humanitarian assistance , whether 339 00:12:47,350 --> 00:12:50,140 it's by land , sea or air to help the 340 00:12:50,150 --> 00:12:53,400 people of Gaza . This is technical , 341 00:12:54,539 --> 00:12:56,650 is there any interest in the Pentagon 342 00:12:56,650 --> 00:12:59,530 to look into how many civilians were 343 00:12:59,539 --> 00:13:02,880 killed by us , provided work . You know , 344 00:13:02,890 --> 00:13:05,030 look Fadi right now , there's an 345 00:13:05,039 --> 00:13:07,030 ongoing conflict between Hamas and 346 00:13:07,039 --> 00:13:10,030 Israel and we understand the complex 347 00:13:10,039 --> 00:13:12,179 and dynamic nature of that conflict . 348 00:13:12,330 --> 00:13:15,190 So our focus right now is on getting 349 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,429 humanitarian assistance into Gaza . 350 00:13:17,619 --> 00:13:19,969 Also continuing to ensure that Israel 351 00:13:19,979 --> 00:13:22,035 has what it needs to defend itself . 352 00:13:22,035 --> 00:13:24,090 And again , I'd , I'd highlight just 353 00:13:24,090 --> 00:13:25,923 several weeks ago when they were 354 00:13:25,923 --> 00:13:29,130 attacked by Iran in an un unprecedented 355 00:13:29,140 --> 00:13:31,539 air attack . Uh So those threats are 356 00:13:31,549 --> 00:13:34,309 real and at the end of the day , what 357 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,219 we're all working toward alongside many 358 00:13:37,229 --> 00:13:39,451 partners in the international community 359 00:13:39,451 --> 00:13:41,340 is a situation where Israelis and 360 00:13:41,340 --> 00:13:43,229 Palestinians can live next to one 361 00:13:43,229 --> 00:13:45,007 another in peace . There can be 362 00:13:45,007 --> 00:13:47,210 security and stability in Gaza and the 363 00:13:47,219 --> 00:13:49,386 region . Uh And again , we'll continue 364 00:13:49,390 --> 00:13:51,334 to work toward that . Let me go to 365 00:13:51,334 --> 00:13:53,179 Chris . Thanks Pat , just quick 366 00:13:53,190 --> 00:13:56,919 clarification um on the uh munitions . 367 00:13:56,929 --> 00:13:59,969 Um These are just purely the dumb bombs 368 00:13:59,979 --> 00:14:02,799 themselves , not any associated um 369 00:14:02,809 --> 00:14:04,920 guidance kit that may come along with 370 00:14:04,940 --> 00:14:07,107 it . Thanks , Chris . I appreciate the 371 00:14:07,107 --> 00:14:09,218 question . I'm just not gonna be able 372 00:14:09,218 --> 00:14:11,440 to get into more specifics on the , the 373 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:13,107 package itself , but I mean , 374 00:14:13,107 --> 00:14:15,107 presumably part of the issue is the 375 00:14:15,109 --> 00:14:17,719 nature of these weapons being unguided , 376 00:14:17,729 --> 00:14:20,700 causing damage . Again , I'm not gonna 377 00:14:20,710 --> 00:14:23,219 get into the , into more specifics . 378 00:14:23,609 --> 00:14:26,830 Yeah , I mean , you know how um 379 00:14:27,469 --> 00:14:29,636 these systems work , right ? You , you 380 00:14:29,636 --> 00:14:32,700 have um bombs which are essentially 381 00:14:32,710 --> 00:14:35,419 dumb bombs that you put J Dam kits on , 382 00:14:35,429 --> 00:14:37,485 but as it relates to this particular 383 00:14:37,485 --> 00:14:39,373 shipment , I'm not gonna get more 384 00:14:39,373 --> 00:14:41,596 specific uh on , on the details of that 385 00:14:41,596 --> 00:14:43,818 beyond what I've already provided . Let 386 00:14:43,818 --> 00:14:43,659 me just go to the phone here real quick , 387 00:14:43,669 --> 00:14:47,330 Washington Post , Miss Ury . Hey 388 00:14:47,340 --> 00:14:49,562 Pat . Uh thank you . I have a couple of 389 00:14:49,562 --> 00:14:51,784 questions . Um First of all , could you 390 00:14:51,784 --> 00:14:55,630 speak to um , the dod 391 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:58,989 assessment of what impact if any , the 392 00:14:59,099 --> 00:15:01,690 cause in these particular um , weapons 393 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:03,869 will have on Israel's ability to 394 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,479 continue its campaign or the anything 395 00:15:06,489 --> 00:15:09,510 about what you guys think , um , the 396 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:11,631 impact will be or maybe there will be 397 00:15:11,631 --> 00:15:13,631 no impact . And then I have another 398 00:15:13,631 --> 00:15:15,742 question . Yeah , so I , I appreciate 399 00:15:15,742 --> 00:15:17,798 the , the question , Missy , I'm not 400 00:15:17,798 --> 00:15:20,159 going to get into assessing Israeli 401 00:15:20,169 --> 00:15:22,609 military operations and their readiness 402 00:15:22,619 --> 00:15:25,099 and potential impact on operations . 403 00:15:25,109 --> 00:15:27,549 Again , I think , um as , as we've 404 00:15:27,559 --> 00:15:30,599 highlighted , uh as we see , uh the 405 00:15:30,609 --> 00:15:33,380 operations um being conducted in rough 406 00:15:33,390 --> 00:15:35,739 and as we assess those , the decision 407 00:15:35,750 --> 00:15:38,109 has been made to pause this , this one 408 00:15:38,119 --> 00:15:40,549 shipment . Uh So I won't go beyond that 409 00:15:40,559 --> 00:15:43,840 and your follow up . Yeah . So my other 410 00:15:43,849 --> 00:15:47,640 question is um related to what Kirby 411 00:15:47,650 --> 00:15:50,409 said earlier at his gaggle about how , 412 00:15:50,419 --> 00:15:52,586 you know , the United States is hoping 413 00:15:52,586 --> 00:15:54,197 that Israel doesn't launch a 414 00:15:54,197 --> 00:15:57,669 full-fledged offensive into Rafah 415 00:15:57,679 --> 00:16:00,590 City . Um But that the US will continue 416 00:16:00,599 --> 00:16:02,655 to work with Israel and other things 417 00:16:02,655 --> 00:16:05,989 including um sealing the border between 418 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,200 Gaza and Egypt and also um helping 419 00:16:09,210 --> 00:16:11,840 Israel target leaders including Sinar 420 00:16:11,849 --> 00:16:13,960 that you know , the US is doing on an 421 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,016 ongoing basis . He said , and so I'm 422 00:16:16,016 --> 00:16:18,238 just wondering if you could provide any 423 00:16:18,238 --> 00:16:20,609 more detail on those two activities 424 00:16:20,619 --> 00:16:22,675 since they're military activities is 425 00:16:22,675 --> 00:16:24,841 like , what exactly is happening ? Vis 426 00:16:24,841 --> 00:16:28,429 a vis um trying to make the border more 427 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,210 secure and then um on the targeting 428 00:16:31,219 --> 00:16:32,997 front because it's a little bit 429 00:16:32,997 --> 00:16:35,219 confusing about the targeting because I 430 00:16:35,219 --> 00:16:34,830 thought the US was not providing 431 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:37,130 targeting assistance . Yeah , thanks , 432 00:16:37,140 --> 00:16:40,429 Missy . Um So uh to be unfortunately 433 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,849 unsatisfying , uh I , I'm not gonna 434 00:16:42,859 --> 00:16:44,915 have more details provide other than 435 00:16:44,915 --> 00:16:47,159 again , broadly speaking . Um We 436 00:16:47,169 --> 00:16:50,030 understand uh and support Israel's 437 00:16:50,039 --> 00:16:52,317 right to defend itself . And of course , 438 00:16:52,317 --> 00:16:54,650 as a , as an important partner and ally , 439 00:16:54,650 --> 00:16:56,872 we're going to continue to consult with 440 00:16:56,872 --> 00:16:58,706 them uh as we have been from the 441 00:16:58,706 --> 00:17:01,169 beginning o on how best to do that . Um 442 00:17:01,179 --> 00:17:03,123 But as it , as it relates to those 443 00:17:03,123 --> 00:17:05,179 specifics , I don't have anything to 444 00:17:05,179 --> 00:17:07,235 provide beyond what Mr Kirby already 445 00:17:07,235 --> 00:17:09,235 passed along . Ok . Let me go to uh 446 00:17:09,235 --> 00:17:12,739 Jeff Shole task and purpose . Well , 447 00:17:12,750 --> 00:17:15,219 thank you . Uh You had mentioned that 448 00:17:15,229 --> 00:17:17,819 the uh incident in Florida is under 449 00:17:17,829 --> 00:17:20,107 investigation , but I'm just wondering , 450 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,339 does the defense department have any 451 00:17:22,369 --> 00:17:26,339 advice or , or , or words uh for 452 00:17:26,349 --> 00:17:28,890 airmen at Hurlbert who , who may be 453 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:30,900 feeling pretty angry right now over 454 00:17:30,900 --> 00:17:33,689 this incident ? Yeah , thanks Jeff . Uh 455 00:17:33,699 --> 00:17:36,040 again , um you know , a tragic 456 00:17:36,050 --> 00:17:38,630 situation here , as I mentioned , uh 457 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:42,089 you know , we're certainly um you know , 458 00:17:42,099 --> 00:17:45,339 uh saddened by the loss of our airmen . 459 00:17:46,719 --> 00:17:49,109 You , you know , we , we obviously need 460 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,230 to allow the investigation to run its 461 00:17:51,230 --> 00:17:53,341 course . I don't want to get ahead of 462 00:17:53,341 --> 00:17:56,910 that . Um , but , um , you know , we , 463 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:58,864 we certainly never want to see our 464 00:17:58,864 --> 00:18:01,400 airmen or any military member uh or any 465 00:18:01,410 --> 00:18:04,010 part of our dod family uh be put into a 466 00:18:04,020 --> 00:18:07,939 situation uh like this . So , uh again , 467 00:18:07,949 --> 00:18:09,893 we , we need to allow time for the 468 00:18:09,893 --> 00:18:12,005 investigation run its course . And uh 469 00:18:12,005 --> 00:18:14,227 you know , we'll certainly have more to 470 00:18:14,227 --> 00:18:16,171 say . Um Once , once we've had the 471 00:18:16,171 --> 00:18:18,116 opportunity to see that . Thanks , 472 00:18:18,116 --> 00:18:20,369 Laura , thank you . Um I was hoping you 473 00:18:20,380 --> 00:18:22,479 could give us a dod s assessment of 474 00:18:22,739 --> 00:18:25,010 Israel's campaign in Rafah right now . 475 00:18:25,020 --> 00:18:27,353 They've been doing airstrikes for weeks . 476 00:18:27,353 --> 00:18:29,829 My understanding is they evacuated 477 00:18:29,859 --> 00:18:31,915 100,000 people from a certain area . 478 00:18:31,915 --> 00:18:35,109 Now they are bombing and on the ground 479 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:37,589 in a certain part of Rafah . Can you 480 00:18:37,599 --> 00:18:40,300 say if that if that's generally 481 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:42,619 generally correct ? And does doe assess 482 00:18:42,630 --> 00:18:44,908 that this is still a limited operation ? 483 00:18:45,239 --> 00:18:47,819 Yeah , so , uh we do assess uh at this 484 00:18:47,829 --> 00:18:50,500 stage that it is a limited operation uh 485 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:52,687 As I'm sure you can appreciate , I'm , 486 00:18:52,687 --> 00:18:54,576 I'm not in a position nor would I 487 00:18:54,576 --> 00:18:56,520 provide an operational briefing on 488 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,290 behalf of Israel . Um But yes , it's uh 489 00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:01,411 all indications are at this time that 490 00:19:01,411 --> 00:19:03,890 it is a relatively limited operation 491 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:07,319 meant to secure uh that that area . Uh 492 00:19:07,329 --> 00:19:09,551 And so again , we'll continue to assess 493 00:19:09,551 --> 00:19:11,849 and monitor . Um That's all I've got at 494 00:19:11,859 --> 00:19:14,026 this point . Have the Israelis briefed 495 00:19:14,026 --> 00:19:16,248 on any additional plans to move further 496 00:19:16,248 --> 00:19:18,470 into Rafa or to expand the scope of the 497 00:19:18,470 --> 00:19:20,526 operation ? I don't have anything to 498 00:19:20,526 --> 00:19:22,748 pass along in that regard . Thank you , 499 00:19:22,748 --> 00:19:24,637 sir . Thank you General . To what 500 00:19:24,637 --> 00:19:26,969 extent do you know that Hamas is on 501 00:19:26,979 --> 00:19:29,439 board with the J Lots plan ? Is there 502 00:19:29,449 --> 00:19:32,449 direct communication between us , 503 00:19:32,459 --> 00:19:35,439 military leadership and Hamas leaders 504 00:19:35,449 --> 00:19:38,119 to make sure that they're not going to 505 00:19:38,130 --> 00:19:40,130 try to scuttle this . And then what 506 00:19:40,130 --> 00:19:42,297 happens if things go terribly wrong on 507 00:19:42,297 --> 00:19:44,074 the beachfront ? Is it Israel's 508 00:19:44,074 --> 00:19:46,019 responsibility or does the US have 509 00:19:46,019 --> 00:19:47,963 contingency plans if Hamas were to 510 00:19:47,963 --> 00:19:50,074 attack the pier itself ? Yeah . So to 511 00:19:50,074 --> 00:19:51,797 answer your question , no , no 512 00:19:51,797 --> 00:19:54,380 conversations between Dod and Hamas . 513 00:19:55,020 --> 00:19:57,140 And , and again , I , you know , I'm 514 00:19:57,150 --> 00:19:59,261 not going to get into it intelligence 515 00:19:59,489 --> 00:20:02,530 other than to say , uh we have no 516 00:20:02,540 --> 00:20:04,651 intelligence at this point in time to 517 00:20:04,651 --> 00:20:06,920 indicate that Hamas is actively uh 518 00:20:06,930 --> 00:20:10,170 targeting J Lots or the humanitarian 519 00:20:10,180 --> 00:20:12,430 assistance that said , look , this is a 520 00:20:12,439 --> 00:20:14,650 combat zone , it's a dangerous area . 521 00:20:14,660 --> 00:20:18,660 Um And , and so , um we are going 522 00:20:18,670 --> 00:20:21,359 to continue to take security absolutely 523 00:20:21,369 --> 00:20:23,591 seriously . It's gonna be a priority uh 524 00:20:23,591 --> 00:20:25,536 for this operation that has been a 525 00:20:25,536 --> 00:20:27,647 priority for this operation and we'll 526 00:20:27,647 --> 00:20:29,591 do what we need to ensure that our 527 00:20:29,591 --> 00:20:31,813 forces are protected and those that are 528 00:20:31,813 --> 00:20:33,925 supporting this , this operation . Uh 529 00:20:33,925 --> 00:20:36,036 And so , you know , to that point , I 530 00:20:36,036 --> 00:20:37,925 think as you see this , go on the 531 00:20:37,925 --> 00:20:39,813 commanders on the ground . Uh the 532 00:20:39,813 --> 00:20:41,980 commander , the US commanders that are 533 00:20:41,980 --> 00:20:44,147 overseeing this out at , at sea and uh 534 00:20:44,147 --> 00:20:46,900 from Israel , um you know , they will 535 00:20:46,910 --> 00:20:49,077 have the authorities to make decisions 536 00:20:49,077 --> 00:20:51,299 as necessary based on the conditions as 537 00:20:51,299 --> 00:20:53,243 it relates to any type of security 538 00:20:53,243 --> 00:20:55,354 situation . But all that to say right 539 00:20:55,354 --> 00:20:58,069 now , we would certainly hope that if 540 00:20:58,079 --> 00:20:59,857 Hamas truly does care about the 541 00:20:59,857 --> 00:21:02,023 Palestinian people that they would not 542 00:21:02,023 --> 00:21:04,190 threaten humanitarian assistance being 543 00:21:04,190 --> 00:21:06,357 delivered to people in dire need . And 544 00:21:06,357 --> 00:21:08,468 for our part , we'll continue to work 545 00:21:08,468 --> 00:21:10,468 with the international community to 546 00:21:10,468 --> 00:21:12,523 rush that aid in responsible for the 547 00:21:12,523 --> 00:21:14,412 security of these non us civilian 548 00:21:14,412 --> 00:21:16,357 contractors on the ground that are 549 00:21:16,357 --> 00:21:18,301 going to be on the pier and on the 550 00:21:18,301 --> 00:21:21,400 beach . So as it relates to the um the 551 00:21:21,410 --> 00:21:23,632 security at the assembly area where aid 552 00:21:23,632 --> 00:21:25,799 comes off , of course , Israel will be 553 00:21:25,799 --> 00:21:28,089 providing security there um and uh 554 00:21:28,099 --> 00:21:30,099 working and coordinating with World 555 00:21:30,099 --> 00:21:32,670 Food Program uh in order to and , and 556 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,550 others USA ID and others uh to , to 557 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:37,849 provide that security on the ground . 558 00:21:37,859 --> 00:21:39,915 But again , I don't want to get into 559 00:21:39,915 --> 00:21:42,081 specific details on that for operation 560 00:21:42,081 --> 00:21:44,599 security reasons . Let me go to this 561 00:21:44,689 --> 00:21:46,745 gentleman . Thank you . Just a quick 562 00:21:46,745 --> 00:21:48,967 follow up on the bombs . Do you have an 563 00:21:48,967 --> 00:21:51,078 assessment of how many of these heavy 564 00:21:51,078 --> 00:21:53,245 bombs that Israel already has ? Like , 565 00:21:53,245 --> 00:21:55,189 do they already have a sustainable 566 00:21:55,189 --> 00:21:57,189 stockpile ? Yeah , I just , I'm not 567 00:21:57,189 --> 00:21:59,739 going to get into the weapons inventory 568 00:21:59,750 --> 00:22:01,972 of a partner country . I'd refer you to 569 00:22:01,972 --> 00:22:03,917 them to talk about their inventory 570 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:09,540 you mentioned . Sorry r for , 571 00:22:09,550 --> 00:22:13,469 uh , that's ok . I can come back to 572 00:22:13,479 --> 00:22:15,590 you . All right . Let me go to , uh , 573 00:22:15,590 --> 00:22:18,729 WAFA from Al Hurra . Thank you , 574 00:22:18,739 --> 00:22:21,709 General , uh , general . Can you please 575 00:22:21,719 --> 00:22:24,089 tell us what's your definition of large 576 00:22:24,099 --> 00:22:27,199 scale operation in Rafa or what would 577 00:22:27,209 --> 00:22:29,630 the Pentagon consider acceptable in 578 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,589 terms of the number of casualties uh 579 00:22:32,599 --> 00:22:36,260 resulting of such operation ? And I 580 00:22:36,270 --> 00:22:39,020 have another question . Yeah , thanks 581 00:22:39,030 --> 00:22:41,359 Wafa . So , so look , you know , I , 582 00:22:41,369 --> 00:22:44,030 I'm , I'm not going to uh paint out 583 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,262 hypothetical scenarios as it relates to 584 00:22:46,262 --> 00:22:48,484 rough . I think you have to take a step 585 00:22:48,484 --> 00:22:50,373 back and , and look at what we're 586 00:22:50,373 --> 00:22:52,429 talking about here . You've got more 587 00:22:52,429 --> 00:22:54,651 than a million people condensed uh into 588 00:22:54,651 --> 00:22:57,199 a relatively small area . Uh And uh 589 00:22:57,250 --> 00:23:00,719 doing any type of large scale military 590 00:23:00,729 --> 00:23:03,400 operation within the confines of that 591 00:23:03,410 --> 00:23:05,780 area , present significant risks to the 592 00:23:05,790 --> 00:23:08,060 civilian population there , uh which 593 00:23:08,069 --> 00:23:10,219 has already been put in a very , very 594 00:23:10,229 --> 00:23:12,890 challenging situation . And so our 595 00:23:12,900 --> 00:23:15,189 focus has been on communicating with 596 00:23:15,199 --> 00:23:18,650 our Israeli partners on uh the fact 597 00:23:18,660 --> 00:23:21,300 that we both agree that Hamas needs to 598 00:23:21,310 --> 00:23:24,540 be defeated . Uh And that we understand 599 00:23:24,550 --> 00:23:26,717 that Hamas has elements within Rafah , 600 00:23:26,719 --> 00:23:29,670 but to , to do it in a way that takes 601 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:32,569 the safety of civilians uh into account 602 00:23:32,579 --> 00:23:35,079 as they conduct those operations . Uh 603 00:23:35,089 --> 00:23:38,219 And so again , uh as we have observed 604 00:23:38,229 --> 00:23:40,400 that this limited operations so far . 605 00:23:40,489 --> 00:23:42,739 Uh , and in a portion of Rafah , uh , 606 00:23:42,750 --> 00:23:45,189 we're continuing to assess that . Uh , 607 00:23:45,199 --> 00:23:47,421 and , and in the meantime , have paused 608 00:23:47,421 --> 00:23:49,869 that one shipment of weapons and then 609 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:53,010 I'm sorry , you had a follow up . Yes . 610 00:23:53,020 --> 00:23:55,010 Uh Mr Kirby today talked about 611 00:23:55,020 --> 00:23:57,930 alternatives to defeat Hamas , uh , uh 612 00:23:57,959 --> 00:24:01,219 without the need for the 613 00:24:01,229 --> 00:24:04,390 alternative that do not require large 614 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:07,000 scale invasion . Uh Can you please talk 615 00:24:07,010 --> 00:24:09,280 a little bit about these alternatives ? 616 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:12,751 I'm I'm sorry , off , you're coming a 617 00:24:12,751 --> 00:24:14,918 little bit broken . Uh Talk about what 618 00:24:15,869 --> 00:24:19,150 alternatives to defeat Hamas 619 00:24:19,609 --> 00:24:21,770 that do not require large scale 620 00:24:21,780 --> 00:24:25,719 invasion . Got you . Um You 621 00:24:25,729 --> 00:24:29,369 know , so , so look , um these are 622 00:24:29,380 --> 00:24:31,436 things that we've talked about uh in 623 00:24:31,436 --> 00:24:33,769 the past in terms of sequencing , right ? 624 00:24:33,769 --> 00:24:36,349 So the evacuation of civilians from the 625 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:39,859 battle space to a degree uh where you 626 00:24:39,869 --> 00:24:42,680 don't have the large um you know , 627 00:24:42,689 --> 00:24:44,633 grouping of , of people that are , 628 00:24:44,633 --> 00:24:46,856 could potentially be impacted by this . 629 00:24:46,856 --> 00:24:48,856 Uh It's ensuring that when you have 630 00:24:48,856 --> 00:24:50,911 evacuated those uh those people that 631 00:24:50,911 --> 00:24:53,969 they have access to food , water , 632 00:24:53,979 --> 00:24:57,979 sanitation , um shelter . Uh And 633 00:24:57,989 --> 00:25:00,709 then of course , approaching uh the 634 00:25:00,719 --> 00:25:03,319 Hamas threat in a precise manner , you 635 00:25:03,329 --> 00:25:06,500 know , um counterterrorism style as 636 00:25:06,510 --> 00:25:09,130 you've seen uh us and the Israelis do 637 00:25:09,420 --> 00:25:11,869 uh elsewhere in the past . Uh So tho 638 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:14,849 those are some examples . OK . Let me 639 00:25:14,859 --> 00:25:16,915 come back to the room here , Janie . 640 00:25:16,915 --> 00:25:19,081 Thank you , General two questions . Uh 641 00:25:19,130 --> 00:25:22,119 South Korean President nuns said that 642 00:25:22,130 --> 00:25:25,709 the press conference yesterday that he 643 00:25:25,719 --> 00:25:29,709 would not provide lethal weapons to 644 00:25:29,719 --> 00:25:33,650 Ukraine . Does the United States still 645 00:25:33,660 --> 00:25:37,290 want 155 millimeter artillery 646 00:25:37,300 --> 00:25:40,290 cells and offensive weapons 647 00:25:40,530 --> 00:25:44,170 support from South Korea ? Well , look , 648 00:25:44,180 --> 00:25:47,189 I'll , I'll let , uh , the Republic of 649 00:25:47,199 --> 00:25:50,150 Korea speak for itself when it comes to 650 00:25:50,290 --> 00:25:52,229 what they feel comfortable with 651 00:25:52,239 --> 00:25:54,900 providing , to support Ukraine , as you 652 00:25:54,910 --> 00:25:57,959 know , uh , the rok are an incredible 653 00:25:57,969 --> 00:26:01,150 ally . Uh , and they certainly have 654 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,349 provided uh assistance , uh , non 655 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:07,119 lethal assistance to , to Ukraine and 656 00:26:07,130 --> 00:26:10,150 support the broader effort uh to 657 00:26:11,270 --> 00:26:13,979 deter and prevent Russian aggression in 658 00:26:13,989 --> 00:26:16,156 Ukraine . But again , it's for them to 659 00:26:16,156 --> 00:26:18,211 talk about . We're just grateful for 660 00:26:18,211 --> 00:26:20,378 any nation that can contribute in some 661 00:26:20,378 --> 00:26:23,010 way to help send a clear signal to 662 00:26:23,020 --> 00:26:25,329 authoritarian regimes . Uh that 663 00:26:25,569 --> 00:26:27,479 invading your democratic peaceful 664 00:26:27,489 --> 00:26:29,600 neighbor is not acceptable behavior . 665 00:26:30,510 --> 00:26:33,880 The Russian Ministry of Defense 666 00:26:34,250 --> 00:26:36,959 reported that Russia will conduct 667 00:26:36,969 --> 00:26:40,699 exercise on the use of 668 00:26:40,709 --> 00:26:44,140 tactical nuclear weapons . How can you 669 00:26:44,150 --> 00:26:47,219 predict possibility of cooper operation 670 00:26:47,229 --> 00:26:50,199 between Russia and North Korea in the 671 00:26:50,209 --> 00:26:52,859 use of a tactical nuclear weapons ? 672 00:26:53,270 --> 00:26:55,492 Well , look , you know , I talked about 673 00:26:55,492 --> 00:26:57,770 this before . Um I've , I've seen that , 674 00:26:57,770 --> 00:27:00,270 uh reported in the press . Uh and I 675 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:01,836 would just say again , it's 676 00:27:01,836 --> 00:27:05,739 irresponsible , um , reckless saber 677 00:27:05,750 --> 00:27:08,089 rattling . Uh that is , that is 678 00:27:08,099 --> 00:27:10,260 dangerous . Uh given the current 679 00:27:10,270 --> 00:27:12,189 climate , international security 680 00:27:12,199 --> 00:27:14,949 environment climate , uh I'll just 681 00:27:14,959 --> 00:27:18,880 leave it at that um , on senior airman 682 00:27:18,890 --> 00:27:21,569 for them . Um , can you say whether um , 683 00:27:21,979 --> 00:27:24,420 uh the , the defense department or the 684 00:27:24,430 --> 00:27:26,939 Air Force is assisting or with the 685 00:27:26,949 --> 00:27:29,239 investigation . Uh I'd have to refer 686 00:27:29,250 --> 00:27:31,417 you to the Air Force . Um , you know , 687 00:27:31,417 --> 00:27:33,583 again , the , as I understand it , the 688 00:27:33,583 --> 00:27:35,583 Florida civil authorities are , are 689 00:27:35,583 --> 00:27:37,639 investigating , but I'd refer you to 690 00:27:37,639 --> 00:27:37,609 the Air Force for any more questions on 691 00:27:37,619 --> 00:27:39,920 that . Yes , thank you very much . 692 00:27:39,930 --> 00:27:42,041 General . The fact that the president 693 00:27:42,041 --> 00:27:44,097 said that us bombs were used to kill 694 00:27:44,097 --> 00:27:46,609 civilians in Gaza is pretty striking . 695 00:27:46,619 --> 00:27:48,729 Uh , does that mean that the , the 696 00:27:48,739 --> 00:27:50,850 Israeli military campaign has somehow 697 00:27:50,850 --> 00:27:52,961 made the United States complicit in , 698 00:27:52,961 --> 00:27:55,209 in any of that ? Is that why uh the 699 00:27:55,219 --> 00:27:57,330 Biden administration is now saying we 700 00:27:57,330 --> 00:27:59,497 don't want any part of that in Rafah . 701 00:27:59,497 --> 00:28:01,775 Is , is that right ? Well , look , I'm , 702 00:28:01,775 --> 00:28:03,997 I'm not gonna speak for the president . 703 00:28:03,997 --> 00:28:06,108 I think again , we've been very clear 704 00:28:06,108 --> 00:28:08,163 from the beginning that after Israel 705 00:28:08,163 --> 00:28:10,330 was attacked by Hamas on October 7th . 706 00:28:10,330 --> 00:28:12,497 And again , I , I think it's important 707 00:28:12,497 --> 00:28:14,497 to remember that 1200 people killed 708 00:28:14,497 --> 00:28:16,663 over 250 hostages , taken half of whom 709 00:28:16,670 --> 00:28:18,479 are still being held . And it's 710 00:28:18,489 --> 00:28:20,656 important that no one forget that fact 711 00:28:20,656 --> 00:28:22,545 that Hamas is still holding these 712 00:28:22,545 --> 00:28:24,545 individuals hostage . Our focus has 713 00:28:24,545 --> 00:28:26,750 been on supporting Israel to defend 714 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:30,250 itself from attacks by Hamas . Uh 715 00:28:30,260 --> 00:28:32,149 and so that they can defend their 716 00:28:32,149 --> 00:28:34,760 people and , and prevent uh another 717 00:28:34,770 --> 00:28:37,170 October 7th from happening at the same 718 00:28:37,180 --> 00:28:40,569 time as this conflict has progressed . 719 00:28:40,790 --> 00:28:43,630 Uh We've seen the unfortunate impact 720 00:28:43,859 --> 00:28:45,526 that it's had on the civilian 721 00:28:45,526 --> 00:28:47,692 population in Gaza . And again , we've 722 00:28:47,692 --> 00:28:49,859 been very clear that we do not want to 723 00:28:49,859 --> 00:28:52,130 see innocent civilians killed , whether 724 00:28:52,140 --> 00:28:55,369 they be Palestinian or Israeli . And so 725 00:28:55,380 --> 00:28:57,436 we've been working very closely with 726 00:28:57,436 --> 00:28:59,380 the international community to get 727 00:28:59,380 --> 00:29:01,380 humanitarian assistance into Gaza . 728 00:29:01,380 --> 00:29:03,269 We've been working to ensure that 729 00:29:03,269 --> 00:29:05,602 Israel has the ability to defend itself , 730 00:29:05,602 --> 00:29:07,602 but we also recognize the fact that 731 00:29:07,602 --> 00:29:09,547 more needs to be done to safeguard 732 00:29:09,547 --> 00:29:11,713 civilians in the battle space . And so 733 00:29:11,713 --> 00:29:13,936 again , we'll continue to , to have one 734 00:29:14,155 --> 00:29:16,266 follow up if the president makes that 735 00:29:16,266 --> 00:29:18,155 determination , that us bombs are 736 00:29:18,155 --> 00:29:20,377 killing Swiss anywhere , you know , any 737 00:29:20,377 --> 00:29:22,488 country that you supply those weapons 738 00:29:22,488 --> 00:29:24,655 to , does that determination come from 739 00:29:24,655 --> 00:29:26,822 the Department of Defense to the White 740 00:29:26,822 --> 00:29:29,044 House ? And if so , what's the standard 741 00:29:29,044 --> 00:29:31,377 procedure with that said country ? Yeah . 742 00:29:31,377 --> 00:29:33,599 Again , I appreciate the question . I'm 743 00:29:33,599 --> 00:29:35,711 just not gonna get into hypotheticals 744 00:29:35,711 --> 00:29:35,380 as you know , we have a process by 745 00:29:35,390 --> 00:29:37,760 which uh we employ when it comes to 746 00:29:37,770 --> 00:29:40,839 evaluating the use of uh security 747 00:29:40,849 --> 00:29:42,571 assistance and that process is 748 00:29:42,571 --> 00:29:44,571 currently ongoing . It's led by the 749 00:29:44,571 --> 00:29:46,738 State Department . So I'd refer you to 750 00:29:46,738 --> 00:29:48,960 them in that regard . Yes , sir . Thank 751 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:50,849 you two quick question on Syria , 752 00:29:50,849 --> 00:29:50,594 especially in North East Syria . 753 00:29:50,604 --> 00:29:52,665 According to some local reports and 754 00:29:52,675 --> 00:29:55,755 local people , Iran is endeavoring to 755 00:29:55,765 --> 00:29:58,098 expand its influence in Northeast Syria . 756 00:29:58,098 --> 00:30:00,444 And this is by using the local tribes , 757 00:30:00,454 --> 00:30:03,114 especially the Arab tribes to establish 758 00:30:03,814 --> 00:30:05,984 some proxy groups with which they 759 00:30:05,994 --> 00:30:08,275 established in Iraq in Northeast Syria . 760 00:30:08,454 --> 00:30:10,565 So , is that something that concerned 761 00:30:10,565 --> 00:30:12,694 you or have you ever noticed this and 762 00:30:12,704 --> 00:30:16,609 is there , this is concerns you 763 00:30:16,619 --> 00:30:19,349 or has any raised eyebrows in 764 00:30:19,359 --> 00:30:21,750 Washington ? Yeah , I mean , look , 765 00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:24,000 this is not new behavior from Iran . 766 00:30:24,010 --> 00:30:26,177 It's how they do business , right ? So 767 00:30:26,177 --> 00:30:29,119 essentially by trying to train and 768 00:30:29,130 --> 00:30:31,810 influence proxy groups to essentially , 769 00:30:32,219 --> 00:30:35,680 um project their foreign policy of 770 00:30:35,689 --> 00:30:39,439 trying to expel the US , uh , and other , 771 00:30:39,599 --> 00:30:42,510 uh , partners from the region , uh in 772 00:30:42,520 --> 00:30:44,631 order to be able to do whatever it is 773 00:30:44,631 --> 00:30:46,939 they want to do unchecked . And so , of 774 00:30:46,949 --> 00:30:48,838 course , that's something that we 775 00:30:48,838 --> 00:30:50,838 continue to keep an eye on . Um you 776 00:30:50,838 --> 00:30:53,060 know , and , and I think it's important 777 00:30:53,060 --> 00:30:56,930 that from a US perspective , you know , 778 00:30:56,939 --> 00:30:59,272 when it comes to the Middle East region , 779 00:30:59,349 --> 00:31:01,630 um we respect the sovereignty of the 780 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:03,969 countries that we work with , unlike 781 00:31:03,979 --> 00:31:06,090 some of these proxy groups which have 782 00:31:06,090 --> 00:31:08,368 embedded themselves uh into the region . 783 00:31:08,368 --> 00:31:10,535 And when it comes to ungoverned spaces 784 00:31:10,535 --> 00:31:12,757 like Syria , uh we're going to continue 785 00:31:12,757 --> 00:31:14,930 to stay focused number one on the 786 00:31:14,939 --> 00:31:17,170 defeat ISIS mission , but we're also 787 00:31:17,180 --> 00:31:19,410 gonna maintain awareness of broader 788 00:31:19,420 --> 00:31:21,910 regional threats as we work with allies 789 00:31:21,920 --> 00:31:24,699 and partners to keep an eye on it . And 790 00:31:24,709 --> 00:31:27,810 again , to prevent potential , you know , 791 00:31:27,819 --> 00:31:30,489 future situations whereby our forces 792 00:31:30,500 --> 00:31:32,111 our citizens or , you know , 793 00:31:32,111 --> 00:31:34,222 importantly , our allies and partners 794 00:31:34,222 --> 00:31:36,278 are threatened . As you spoke of the 795 00:31:36,278 --> 00:31:38,111 ISIS . According to the security 796 00:31:38,111 --> 00:31:40,278 officials in Syria , the ISIS activity 797 00:31:40,278 --> 00:31:42,333 has been increasing in the past five 798 00:31:42,333 --> 00:31:44,709 months . And one of the security 799 00:31:44,729 --> 00:31:48,479 officials said that the ISIS slowly but 800 00:31:48,489 --> 00:31:50,780 surely growing stronger . And in the 801 00:31:50,790 --> 00:31:52,846 recent day , they killed a member of 802 00:31:52,846 --> 00:31:55,209 the SDF . So what's your assessment on 803 00:31:55,219 --> 00:31:56,886 that ? Especially on the ISIS 804 00:31:56,886 --> 00:31:59,560 activities ? And how do you going to 805 00:31:59,569 --> 00:32:02,339 help the SDF to prevent the resurgence 806 00:32:02,349 --> 00:32:04,790 of the ISIS ? Yeah . Well , again , the 807 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:07,430 international coalition to defeat ISIS 808 00:32:07,439 --> 00:32:10,550 still exists today . Uh and we continue 809 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:12,727 to work closely with the international 810 00:32:12,727 --> 00:32:14,949 community to address the ISIS threat as 811 00:32:14,949 --> 00:32:18,739 it relates to Iraq . And Syria ISIS is 812 00:32:18,750 --> 00:32:21,770 by no means what it was 10 years ago . 813 00:32:22,060 --> 00:32:24,116 And that's a good thing that said to 814 00:32:24,116 --> 00:32:26,069 your point . We can't rest on our 815 00:32:26,079 --> 00:32:28,301 Laurels and we need to continue to work 816 00:32:28,301 --> 00:32:30,301 together to prevent a resurgence of 817 00:32:30,301 --> 00:32:33,500 ISIS in that uh that region . You still 818 00:32:33,510 --> 00:32:36,089 have places like uh Al Hal which 819 00:32:36,099 --> 00:32:38,900 contains , you know , several 1000 ISIS 820 00:32:38,910 --> 00:32:41,021 prisoners that need to be repatriated 821 00:32:41,290 --> 00:32:44,989 uh back to uh to their countries of 822 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,229 origin . And so we continue to work 823 00:32:47,239 --> 00:32:49,239 with the international community on 824 00:32:49,239 --> 00:32:51,461 that front . When you look more broadly 825 00:32:51,461 --> 00:32:53,517 in terms of ISIS around the world in 826 00:32:53,517 --> 00:32:55,750 places like Africa or Afghanistan , you 827 00:32:55,760 --> 00:32:58,000 do see ISIS uh starting to gain some 828 00:32:58,010 --> 00:33:00,232 traction . And so this will continue to 829 00:33:00,232 --> 00:33:02,454 be something that's very important from 830 00:33:02,454 --> 00:33:04,677 a counterterrorism standpoint and , and 831 00:33:04,677 --> 00:33:06,732 a threat we need to continue to take 832 00:33:06,732 --> 00:33:08,732 seriously . Thank you . Yes , sir . 833 00:33:08,732 --> 00:33:11,010 Thank you , general . So two questions . 834 00:33:11,010 --> 00:33:13,410 One on Syria recently us expat rate 835 00:33:13,420 --> 00:33:15,760 like uh some uh 836 00:33:16,750 --> 00:33:19,430 prisoners from a whole camp . And uh 837 00:33:19,439 --> 00:33:21,560 there are 11 , I think 11 people and 838 00:33:21,569 --> 00:33:25,270 one is a non US citizen . So how does 839 00:33:25,750 --> 00:33:28,790 come ? I'm sorry , the 11 prisoners 840 00:33:28,800 --> 00:33:31,770 that , which are like uh 841 00:33:33,079 --> 00:33:36,449 like ISIS members but us expatriated 842 00:33:36,459 --> 00:33:39,560 them to the country . One is a non US 843 00:33:39,569 --> 00:33:43,250 citizen . Um If I 844 00:33:43,260 --> 00:33:45,510 understand your question correctly . Uh 845 00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:48,349 So essentially , yes . Uh I mean , that 846 00:33:48,359 --> 00:33:50,192 is the goal is to essentially uh 847 00:33:50,192 --> 00:33:52,969 repatriate those individuals back to 848 00:33:52,979 --> 00:33:55,146 their countries of origin so that they 849 00:33:55,146 --> 00:33:57,739 can be uh it can be addressed in their 850 00:33:57,750 --> 00:34:01,400 own domestic legal systems uh on how 851 00:34:01,410 --> 00:34:03,900 best to uh you know , address that , 852 00:34:03,910 --> 00:34:07,550 that threat . Um Again , what you don't 853 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:09,338 want is essentially a terrorist 854 00:34:09,338 --> 00:34:13,219 breeding ground where um it essentially 855 00:34:13,229 --> 00:34:15,669 becomes a tinder box waiting to explode . 856 00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:18,020 And so I know us central command , uh 857 00:34:18,030 --> 00:34:20,086 us State Department has been working 858 00:34:20,086 --> 00:34:22,197 very closely with partners throughout 859 00:34:22,197 --> 00:34:24,141 the region throughout the world to 860 00:34:24,141 --> 00:34:26,363 address this . Uh and , and of course , 861 00:34:26,363 --> 00:34:28,500 working with the SDF from a um the 862 00:34:28,510 --> 00:34:30,566 forces that are actually running and 863 00:34:30,566 --> 00:34:32,620 maintaining that facility . One 864 00:34:32,629 --> 00:34:34,851 question on Rafael , you are working on 865 00:34:34,851 --> 00:34:37,018 building piers to provide humanitarian 866 00:34:37,018 --> 00:34:39,679 aid into Gaza . And as you know , 867 00:34:39,689 --> 00:34:42,510 Israel has controlled for the GS into 868 00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:45,100 Rafa , how has that made it difficult 869 00:34:45,439 --> 00:34:49,310 to get aid into Gaza Rafah ? Yeah . 870 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:51,679 So , um you know , broadly speaking 871 00:34:51,689 --> 00:34:53,879 again , what you're seeing here and , 872 00:34:53,889 --> 00:34:56,399 and you know , another way to look at 873 00:34:56,409 --> 00:34:59,110 this pier is essentially as another 874 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:02,979 gate into Rafa to get aid into . So , 875 00:35:03,419 --> 00:35:06,010 so in addition to working to make sure 876 00:35:06,020 --> 00:35:08,242 that there's an increase in flow of aid 877 00:35:08,242 --> 00:35:11,669 via land . Um It's also we also have 878 00:35:11,679 --> 00:35:13,735 the opportunity via sea . And as you 879 00:35:13,735 --> 00:35:15,790 know , we've also been providing aid 880 00:35:15,790 --> 00:35:18,830 via air . Uh So um that's , that's the 881 00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:20,896 way that we look at it . Yes , sir . 882 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:25,336 Israel , I think has done as much or 883 00:35:25,336 --> 00:35:27,502 more to secure non combatants in Rafah 884 00:35:27,502 --> 00:35:30,080 as the US has done in its own urban , 885 00:35:30,239 --> 00:35:32,350 difficult urban battles in the past . 886 00:35:32,350 --> 00:35:34,669 Going from Fallujah all the way back to 887 00:35:34,679 --> 00:35:36,623 the battle of Manila in the Second 888 00:35:36,623 --> 00:35:39,280 World War is the US holding Israel to a 889 00:35:39,290 --> 00:35:41,570 standard at an unreasonable standard 890 00:35:41,580 --> 00:35:44,000 that it has never really bothered to uh 891 00:35:44,010 --> 00:35:46,379 to secure for itself . Yeah , thanks 892 00:35:46,389 --> 00:35:48,709 Mike . So , yeah . So look , I'm gonna 893 00:35:49,550 --> 00:35:51,772 uh look at every situation based on its 894 00:35:51,772 --> 00:35:53,883 merits based on the current operating 895 00:35:53,883 --> 00:35:56,050 environment and , and the fact is , uh 896 00:35:56,050 --> 00:35:58,270 we are where we are today . Uh And I 897 00:35:58,280 --> 00:36:00,113 think we've been very clear both 898 00:36:00,113 --> 00:36:03,209 publicly and privately uh that as 899 00:36:03,219 --> 00:36:06,310 Israel contemplates uh its operations 900 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:09,060 in Rafah , uh that we would expect to 901 00:36:09,070 --> 00:36:11,290 see it be done in a way that takes 902 00:36:11,300 --> 00:36:14,689 civilian safety into account . Uh And , 903 00:36:15,060 --> 00:36:18,489 you know , again , uh the President and 904 00:36:18,500 --> 00:36:20,556 Secretary Austin have both said , uh 905 00:36:20,556 --> 00:36:23,360 that as we assess uh what's happening 906 00:36:23,370 --> 00:36:25,537 in Rafah right now , we put a pause on 907 00:36:25,537 --> 00:36:27,649 this one shipment of weapons again , 908 00:36:27,659 --> 00:36:31,229 taking a step back uh to be clear , our 909 00:36:31,239 --> 00:36:33,469 commitment to Israel's defense will 910 00:36:33,479 --> 00:36:36,199 remain ironclad and we will continue to 911 00:36:36,209 --> 00:36:38,530 ensure and take all necessary steps to 912 00:36:38,540 --> 00:36:40,762 ensure that Israel has what it needs to 913 00:36:40,762 --> 00:36:43,050 defend itself from threats in the 914 00:36:43,060 --> 00:36:45,439 region to include Hamas . October 7th . 915 00:36:45,449 --> 00:36:47,489 The president said that uh he was 916 00:36:47,500 --> 00:36:50,820 behind Israel's plan to destroy Hamas . 917 00:36:50,830 --> 00:36:53,052 Is that still the case anymore or is he 918 00:36:53,052 --> 00:36:55,520 sort of winding that back ? We believe 919 00:36:55,530 --> 00:36:57,586 that uh Hamas needs to be defeated . 920 00:36:57,586 --> 00:37:01,409 Absolutely . Thank you . Just a quick 921 00:37:01,419 --> 00:37:03,530 point of clarification on the Israeli 922 00:37:03,530 --> 00:37:05,252 military is relatively limited 923 00:37:05,252 --> 00:37:07,419 incursion in the vicinity of Rafah . I 924 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:10,040 believe Israeli officials have said 925 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:12,207 that it's intended to cut off the flow 926 00:37:12,207 --> 00:37:14,318 of weapons to Hamas in that area . To 927 00:37:14,318 --> 00:37:16,540 what extent does this resemble that the 928 00:37:16,540 --> 00:37:18,707 initial move the IDF made here to what 929 00:37:18,707 --> 00:37:20,707 extent does that resemble the , you 930 00:37:20,707 --> 00:37:22,818 know , the tailored operational plans 931 00:37:22,818 --> 00:37:22,199 the US officials have discussed with 932 00:37:22,209 --> 00:37:24,590 their Israeli counterparts ? Or does 933 00:37:24,669 --> 00:37:26,836 this appear to be more consistent with 934 00:37:26,836 --> 00:37:28,836 shaping operations for larger scale 935 00:37:28,836 --> 00:37:31,002 ground clearing ? Yeah , again , I I'm 936 00:37:31,002 --> 00:37:32,780 not going to get into trying to 937 00:37:32,780 --> 00:37:34,780 characterize from the podium here , 938 00:37:34,780 --> 00:37:36,947 detailed Israeli operations other than 939 00:37:36,947 --> 00:37:39,002 again , what we've observed and what 940 00:37:39,002 --> 00:37:41,169 they've told us in terms of it being a 941 00:37:41,169 --> 00:37:43,989 limited operation . So last question . 942 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:46,056 Yes , sir , sir . Uh two questions , 943 00:37:46,056 --> 00:37:48,489 quick freeze , one conflicts around the 944 00:37:48,500 --> 00:37:50,379 globe , still going on one after 945 00:37:50,389 --> 00:37:52,389 another and they are connected with 946 00:37:52,389 --> 00:37:54,500 military . Uh Prime Minister Narendra 947 00:37:54,580 --> 00:37:57,399 Modi is still influenced uh among 948 00:37:57,409 --> 00:38:01,030 global leaders . You think he has any 949 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:04,060 power and influence to stop at the end 950 00:38:04,070 --> 00:38:06,237 of these conflicts and wars going on . 951 00:38:07,379 --> 00:38:09,379 Are you asking me if Prime Minister 952 00:38:09,379 --> 00:38:11,649 Modi has influence to stop conflicts , 953 00:38:11,979 --> 00:38:14,340 the leaders where these wars are going 954 00:38:14,350 --> 00:38:18,280 on , like Russia , Ukraine and in 955 00:38:18,290 --> 00:38:20,457 the Middle East and all that influence 956 00:38:20,457 --> 00:38:23,139 is more than ever . 957 00:38:24,229 --> 00:38:27,810 Yeah , I appreciate the question . As 958 00:38:27,820 --> 00:38:29,931 I'm sure you can appreciate , I'm not 959 00:38:29,931 --> 00:38:33,100 going to make a judgment regarding the 960 00:38:33,110 --> 00:38:36,100 leader of India other than to say that 961 00:38:36,110 --> 00:38:38,600 look , India is an important uh and 962 00:38:38,610 --> 00:38:41,469 strategic nation uh and a very 963 00:38:41,479 --> 00:38:43,959 important part of the world . Uh And 964 00:38:43,969 --> 00:38:46,191 from a U SS standpoint , we of course , 965 00:38:46,191 --> 00:38:48,302 very much appreciate the relationship 966 00:38:48,302 --> 00:38:50,247 that we have with India and from a 967 00:38:50,247 --> 00:38:52,413 defense department standpoint , I look 968 00:38:52,413 --> 00:38:54,525 forward to continuing to our security 969 00:38:54,525 --> 00:38:56,691 co-operation relationship . And second 970 00:38:56,691 --> 00:38:59,935 sir , uh secretaries of State and 971 00:38:59,945 --> 00:39:03,064 Treasury were in , in uh in uh China 972 00:39:03,074 --> 00:39:06,485 recently and both of them want China in 973 00:39:06,495 --> 00:39:08,685 their own ways and different that not 974 00:39:08,695 --> 00:39:11,895 to influence elections or uh uh 975 00:39:12,274 --> 00:39:15,639 not to interfere in uh us 976 00:39:15,649 --> 00:39:18,479 interference in many ways including 977 00:39:18,489 --> 00:39:20,530 cyber . And all my question is , is 978 00:39:20,540 --> 00:39:23,330 this building dod or Pentagon affected 979 00:39:23,340 --> 00:39:26,919 about or about those warning to China 980 00:39:26,929 --> 00:39:28,919 uh in any way as far as the US , 981 00:39:28,929 --> 00:39:31,310 national security is concerned ? Yeah , 982 00:39:31,320 --> 00:39:34,239 look , when it comes to uh election 983 00:39:34,250 --> 00:39:36,510 security , uh the Department of Defense 984 00:39:36,520 --> 00:39:38,631 of course plays a role in that as you 985 00:39:38,631 --> 00:39:40,742 know , I won't get into the specifics 986 00:39:40,742 --> 00:39:42,909 of that other than it's something that 987 00:39:42,909 --> 00:39:45,131 we take very seriously , uh , to ensure 988 00:39:45,131 --> 00:39:47,242 the integrity of our own elections to 989 00:39:47,242 --> 00:39:49,464 include on the , on the cyber side . So 990 00:39:49,464 --> 00:39:51,520 I'll just leave it there . Thank you 991 00:39:51,520 --> 00:39:51,040 very much , everybody . Appreciate it .