WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin assured Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz of America’s continued total support in a telephone conversation, Defence Department spokesperson John Kirby said.
Israel and Hamas were locked in a bitter conflict for 11 days that concluded with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on 20 May.
“Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin spoke this afternoon with Israeli Minister of Defence Benjamin ‘Benny’ Gantz”, Kirby said in a readout of the conversation on Friday. “Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad support for Israel’s security”.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III arrives for graduation ceremonies for the class of 2021 at the United States Military Academy (USMA) West Point, in Michie Stadium in West Point, New York, U.S., May 22, 2021.
This week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a two-day Middle East visit aimed at solidifying the ceasefire and raising money for reconstruction. One of Washington’s goals is to ensure that any assistance be kept out of the hands of Hamas in an effort to contribute to reducing tensions in the region.
An aerial view of the destroyed building housing the offices of The Associated Press and other media, after it was hit last week by Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City, Saturday, May 22, 2021.
The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday held a special session on “the grave human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory”. Following the session, the council passed a resolution to establish an independent, international panel to investigate all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of international human rights law in Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.
Israel has refused to cooperate, labelling the UNHRC “a body with a built-in anti-Israel majority”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the resolution “a mockery of international law”.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
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