US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the United States will continue to put pressure on Israel to protect the population of the Gaza Strip. He spoke about this during a speech at the Reagan Forum on National Defense in California.
The head of the Pentagon shared his personal experience of fighting in an urban environment during the Iraq War. Austin emphasized that winning a war in such conditions is possible only by protecting civilians.
According to the Secretary of Defense, in urban battles, the civilian population becomes a kind of “center of gravity.” “If you drive him into the arms of the enemy, you get a strategic defeat instead of a tactical war,” Austin said.
He added that he has repeatedly warned the Israeli leadership that protecting civilians in the Gaza Strip is both a moral imperative and a strategic one. imperative. The Pentagon chief also called on Israeli authorities to avoid irresponsible rhetoric and unnecessary casualties, and to expand humanitarian access for Gazans. He also noted the need to prevent settler violence in the West Bank.
At the same time, the US Secretary of Defense emphasized that the United States remains a close friend of Israel, and its support is non-negotiable.