It's a moral imperative to protect Palestinians, Austin tells Gallant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Mar 2024 20:16
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While meeting with Gallant, the US Secretary of Defense uses some of his most forceful language so far, while maintaining "unshakeable" relations.

Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, at far left, speaks while meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, at the Pentagon, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP)

At their meeting in Washington, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed to Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant how much of a moral and strategic imperative it was to protect Palestinians in the war on Gaza by "Israel", Reuters reported.

"In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low," Austin said at the Pentagon, adding, "Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and the situation is getting even worse."

"We need immediate increases in assistance to avert famine," Austin said.

The US Secretary of Defense also noted that he and Gallant would discuss ways to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This meeting came as tensions between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sunk to a significant low and after the latter canceled a visit to Washington by two of his most senior aides due to participate in negotiating operational alternatives.

Later, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a second day of talks with Gallant.

White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, briefing reporters on Air Force One, said Sullivan pledged "ironclad" US support for "Israel" and that the two officials discussed the need for "Israel" "to do more to sustain and expand humanitarian assistance going into Gaza."

"It's critical that Israel do whatever is possible to prevent civilian casualties and to conduct operations as strategically and precisely as possible and target operations to protect civilians in Rafah," she said.

The US expressed being "very disappointed" by the cancellation, with National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby telling reporters that the US was disappointed they would not be able to have a "fulsome conversation" about the "viable alternatives" to a Rafah attack.

Netanyahu announced his decision after the US declined to veto a United Nations Security Council measure calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, opting instead for an abstention.

Austin stressed he would also lay on the table alternate approaches to the Rafah attacks as an invasion possibility has been one of the main tension points between the US and "Israel".

However, Austin claimed that the security pact between "Israel" and the US was "unshakeable" to shut any rumors down and that the US remains "Israel's closest friend and that won't change".

Netanyahu is not new to American politics after having been buddy-buddy with four US presidents and the Republican party and taken advantage of the military and diplomatic alliance no one else can do.

Now, with no hope to negotiate with Biden, he has turned to his last resort: the Israeli lobby.