(Credit: US DOD)    U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III

By  Gary  Raynaldo    –  DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  –   U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Wednesday regarding the negotiations for the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire, according to a Pentagon press statement. Secretary Austin raised the need to consider alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah, “while reiterating the shared goal of defeating Hamas.”  The two also discussed the need to do more to protect civilians and urgently increase the flow of aid into Gaza through land crossings. Austin said he appreciated Gallant’s “firm and full commitment” to protecting U.S. service members in the eastern Mediterranean who will enable the maritime humanitarian aid corridor. Secretary Austin said he looks forward to hosting Minister Gallant at the Pentagon next week for a bilateral meeting to continue their conversations. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters today that the March 26th bilateral meeting is separate from the meeting announced by the White House following a call with President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu in which the prime minister agreed to send a senior interagency team composed of military intelligence and humanitarian officials to Washington.  Since the Israel-Hamas war, Secretary Austin has steadfastly reaffirmed Israel’s “right to self-defense”.  Austin has also reiterated to Israeli leaders the “importance of both protecting civilians and delivering humanitarian relief”. More than 29,000  Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7.  by Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to AP.