Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs the press from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2021. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders).

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC   TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –  PENTAGON –  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli counterpart Defense Minister Benny Gantz Wednesday and urged de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.  Hamas has launched thousands of rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with airstrikes.  Deadly clashes have killed at least 213 Palestinians, including 61 children, and 12 people in Israel

“The secretary underscored his continued support for Israel’s right to defend itself, reviewed assessments of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza  and urged de-escalation of the conflict.”

-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. 

President Joe Biden has been in close contact with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu since the fighting started. He has continually urged the Israeli leader to de-escalate the situation. 

“We want to see the violence come to a close. The secretary shares the sentiments … expressed by the President. Certainly, the secretary expressed [to Gantz], again, our deep concerns over the loss of innocent lives. We don’t believe that violent conflict there is in anybody’s interest,”

-the Pentagon Press Secretary added.