By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke Wednesday with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to review Israel's operations in Lebanon, according to the Pentagon.
"The Secretary encouraged the Government of Israel to continue taking steps to address the dire humanitarian situation, noting the recent action by Israel to increase the amount of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza," spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
The telephone call came after a recent letter sent by Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to their Israeli counterparts which said Israel must improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza within 30 days, particularly by facilitating the delivery of international aid, or risk an American arms embargo.
Austin reinforced the importance of taking all measures to ensure the safety and security of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces, said Ryder.
Stressing the need to pursue a diplomatic path to provide security for civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border as soon as feasible, Austin reaffirmed the US' "unwavering, enduring, and ironclad" commitment to Israel's security and that the US is well postured to defend US personnel, partners and allies.
The defense chiefs also discussed the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery "as an operational example of the US’ ironclad support to the defense of Israel," Ryder added.
A team of military personnel and some initial components of the battery arrived Monday in Israel, with additional personnel and components scheduled to arrive in the coming days to make the THAAD fully "capable shortly," according to the Pentagon.
The THAAD will be used to bolster Israel's missile defense capabilities in the wake of Iran's targeted attacks against Israel on April 13 and Oct. 1.