AMMAN —
After a
deadly Israeli raid in Nablus this week, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd
Austin spoke late Friday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and pleaded
with him to defuse tensions with the Palestinians in the West Bank, Israeli
media reported.
اضافة اعلان
Austin
"encouraged the de-escalation of tensions in the West Bank, following a
military raid last week that resulted in civilian deaths," according to a
Pentagon statement.
During a
Israeli raid on Wednesday in the West Bank city of
Nablus 11 Palestinians were killed, and at least 102 others were injured by Israeli forces.
The
Pentagon added that “Secretary Austin underscored his steadfast commitment to
Israel’s security and to Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorism.”
It continued: “The two leaders also discussed regional security issues.”
There was
no immediate readout of the conversation from Israel.
Austin’s
call comes as the Biden administration on Wednesday expressed its "great
sorrow" over the number of Palestinians wounded and killed in the
operation.
Read more Region and World
Jordan News
