Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on May 12 stressed that the United States holds “ironclad support” for Israel’s right to defend itself amid a military conflict with Hamas, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
It comes as Israeli officials said that 16 members of the Hamas armed wing were killed by airstrikes—coming after Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists fired numerous rockets into Israel.
Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby confirmed that Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz on May 12.
