US urges Israel's Gallant to calm tension in West Bank

Yoav Gallant
Yoav Gallant. (Photo: Twitter)
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.


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