Upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, the quiet man at the Pentagon during President Biden’s term, stepped into the limelight.
Mr. Austin is set to hold meetings with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. US officials have indicated that the discussions will focus on the timing and strategy for Israeli forces to execute a new phase of the conflict, which is expected to involve smaller elite forces conducting more precise, intelligence-driven missions in Gaza.
This marks Mr. Austin’s second visit to the region since the onset of the war in Gaza, prompted by a terrorist attack led by Hamas on October 7th. In prior interactions with Israeli officials, Mr. Austin has emphasized the Biden administration’s support for Israel while expressing concerns about the increasing Palestinian casualties.
Pentagon officials assert that Mr. Austin is well-suited to convey the importance of protecting civilians. As a retired four-star general with extensive combat experience, including urban warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr. Austin brings a wealth of military knowledge to the table.