Gallant Emphasizes the Importance of Quickly Reaching an Agreement with Hamas

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed the importance of quickly reaching an agreement to facilitate the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of war with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), during a phone call with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin. An Israeli Defense Ministry statement indicated that "while continuing efforts to ensure Israel's security, Minister Gallant raised the significance of quickly reaching an agreement to ensure the return of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip." The statement noted that the two officials agreed on the "urgent" nature of the matter.