US pledges unwavering support for Israel’s military operation in Gaza

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday pledged the US’s “unshakable support” for Israel’s military operation in Gaza as he addressed a joint presser with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant. “He [Austin] endorsed essentially Israel’s military strategy in going after Hamas,” FRANCE 24’s Douglas Herbert said. Despite hopes that Washington would step up the pressure on Tel Aviv to wind down its military operations in Gaza amid rising civilian casualties, Austin said the war against Hamas was an Israeli operation and his visit to Israel was not aimed at setting a timeline for the conflict.