Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about Lebanese Hizballah's July 27 attack on Israel. Secretary Austin condemned in the strongest terms the appalling attack on Majdal Shams, in which 12 children playing soccer were killed and numerous civilians were wounded. He offered condolences to those who lost loved ones, and prayers for the full recovery of the injured. The Secretary discussed threats still facing Israel from a range of Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hizballah. Together, they discussed the opportunity to finalize a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, and continued efforts toward a diplomatic solution in the north that stops all attacks and allows citizens on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to return home safely. Finally, Secretary Austin reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel's security and right of self-defense.
