The Pentagon, headquarters of the US Department of Defense,  Arlington, VA  (credit Wikipedia)

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  –   Some 120 Defense Department personnel were evacuated from Israel on Thursday as deadly violence between the Israeli military and Hamas rages on, a top Pentagon spokesperson confirmed.  The 120 Defense Department personnel arrived in Germany today from Israel, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby. He added that the personnel flew aboard a C-17 military aircraft that is based at Rammstein Air Base southwestern Germany.  Kirby said they were DOD personnel from throughout the department who were in Israel for a routine planning event as part of the normal exercise cycle in support of longstanding bilateral agreements with Israel.

“They were people from like, central command, headquarter staff, European Command headquarters staff, that were involved in the planning exercise. We made this decision to remove these individuals in coordination with our Israeli counterparts, of course. This particular planning conference was already scheduled to wrap up this week, but we did accelerate the departure of these individuals, again, in full coordination with our Israeli counterparts. So they’re in Germany now, and we will be working with them to make plans for them to return to their home bases and stations as appropriate.”

-Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)   Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington DC. 

Israel stepped up its assault on Gaza Friday, as Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets into Israel on the fifth day of hostilities.  At least 122 people have been killed in Gaza and eight have died in Israel since the fighting began on Monday.

Pentagon Backs Israel’s “Right to  Self-Defense”

Meanwhile,  the under secretary of Defense for Policy, Dr. Colin Kahl, met with Israeli Ministry of Defense Director of Policy and Political Military Affairs Zohar Palti  at the Pentagon. The meeting followed Defense Secretary Lloud Austin’s call with Israeli Minister of Defense Gantz Wednesday, and the president’s call  with Prime Minister Netanyahu. 

“Under Secretary Kahl unequivocally condemned these terrorist attacks directed at Israeli civilians, and underscored U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens. They agreed to maintain a close dialogue and to work together to strengthen regional security. Dr. Kahl underscored the department’s enduring support for Israel’s security and qualitative military edge, and conveyed the administration’s support for a restoration of calm and the protection of civilians.”

-Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby