Austin discusses ‘stabilization’ phase after Israel-Hamas war with Gallant

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hold a joint press conference at Israel's Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, Israel on Dec. 18. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke Thursday about Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

The pair also discussed the stabilization phase that will follow major combat operations. 

“The Secretary reiterated U.S. resolve to ensure Hamas can no longer threaten Israel's security and underscored the importance of protecting Gaza's civilians and accelerating humanitarian assistance,” Ryder said in a statement. 

Other issues included Hezbollah’s activities in southern Lebanon , where the terror group has traded rocket fire with Israeli troops, militia attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed groups and attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on the Red Sea.