US defense chief to travel to Israel Friday: Official

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel Friday to Israel, a senior defense official said Thursday.

The defense chief is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the Israeli war Cabinet, the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told reporters.

"This is sending quite a clear signal of the depth of US commitment to Israel security," said the official. "Secretary Austin will be discussing Israel's security assistance needs there".

Austin will underscore his unwavering commitment to Israel's security and is looking forward to speaking in depth with Israeli leaders about their operational planning and objectives for the conflict, said the official.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Tel Aviv to meet senior officials including Netanyahu to show support for Israel in the wake of a Hamas attack last weekend.

Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said the attack was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that electricity, water and fuel will not be provided to Gaza until all its hostages are freed.

More than 2,700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict over the weekend, including over 1,400 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis.

Officials in the Palestinian enclave have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe and collapse of the health system amid heavy bombardment and blockade.​​​​​​​