US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the need for Israel to enhance the precision of its military actions in Gaza to safeguard civilians.
Following a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Austin reiterated unwavering US support for Israel’s offensive against Hamas and pledged increased assistance in terms of arms, vehicles, and munitions.
Despite mounting pressure, including from within the Democratic Party, for the Biden administration to restrain Israel’s military campaign initiated by Hamas attacks on October 7, Austin asserted that the US would not impose specific timelines or terms on its ally.
Austin underscored the enduring commitment to Israel’s right to self-defense, emphasizing the crucial objective of preventing Hamas from posing threats to Israel or Gaza.
During the discussions, Austin conveyed the importance of minimizing harm to civilians in the conflict zone, outlining collaborative strategies to transition from high-intensity operations to more targeted and less impactful military actions. Gallant affirmed that Israeli forces would maintain their presence in Gaza, adapting their operational intensity as needed.
Austin’s counsel to Israel on refining and focusing its military efforts has become more explicit in response to the escalating civilian casualties. He previously cautioned that Israel risked exchanging tactical victories for a potential strategic setback.
Five Israeli soldiers killed in Hamas attacks
Meanwhile,
The Israeli army announced that four troops were killed in the ongoing fighting in Gaza while the fifth soldier succumbed to wounds, marking a grim toll on Israel’s military. The intense clashes extended into entrenched Hamas strongholds at opposite ends of the enclave.
The death toll from Sunday’s events brought the total number of military casualties in Israel’s ground operation in Gaza to 127.
This underscores the formidable resistance faced by troops attempting to dismantle the Hamas terror group. Meanwhile, Israel grappled with the accidental killing of three hostages, mistakenly identified as terrorists, in a debris-laden Gaza neighborhood.
As the military campaign unfolded, reports circulated regarding a potential renewed effort for a hostage release deal.
Simultaneously, the UN Security Council geared up to vote on a resolution expected to demand a cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages held in Gaza.
A total of 128 individuals remained in captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists who unleashed havoc in southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the massacre of 1,200 people and igniting the conflict.
In southern Gaza, where the focus was on gaining control of Khan Younis, three soldiers lost their lives in Sunday’s fighting. The fallen soldiers were identified as Sgt. First Class Liav Aloush, 21, from Gedera; Master Sgt. (res.) Etan Naeh, 26, from Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu; and Master Sgt. (res.) Tal Filiba, 23, from Rehovot—all serving in various elite units.
In northern Gaza, Sgt. First Class Lidor Yosef Karavani, 23, of the Combat Engineering Corps’ 8163rd Battalion, hailing from Eilat, was also killed.
The army further reported the death of Sgt. First Class Urija Bayer, 20, a commando in the Maglan unit, succumbed to injuries sustained in southern Gaza on December 14.
