Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav GallantPentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds a Press[...]

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to express his grave concern for the IDF's responsibility for the unprovoked and unjustified death of American citizen Aysenur Eygi while she was attending a protest in the West Bank. The Secretary urged Minister Gallant to reexamine the IDF's rules of engagement while operating in the West Bank.

Secretary Austin also offered his condolences for the three Israeli civilians killed by a gunman at the Allenby Bridge Crossing. Secretary Austin reiterated the importance of reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza that secures the release of all the hostages and de-escalates hostilities in the region.