The United States is advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, a reduction in tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, and an end to Houthi aggression in the Red Sea, stated Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder in a media briefing today.
The U.S. is making significant efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, which would facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid.
“This war is undoubtedly tragic. Way too many civilians have died. It’s heartbreaking to see the images that we see,” Ryder expressed.
He emphasized that the U.S. has consistently urged its Israeli partners to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza. “We know that they need to do more on this front, and we’re going to continue to communicate that to them,” Ryder added.
However, Ryder noted that Hamas bears some responsibility for civilian casualties due to their tactics of embedding among the civilian population.
Highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Ryder stated that the Defense Department will continue supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in its efforts with the international community.
The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore temporary pier, which was used for humanitarian support in Gaza, remains in Ashdod, Israel. There is no set date for its re-anchoring, as it was always intended to be a temporary solution, he said.
Addressing the Israel-Lebanon border situation, Ryder stated that a diplomatic solution is still possible despite ongoing tensions. “We continue to stay in constant communication with Lebanon, Israel, and others in the region to ensure that this does not become a broader conflict,” he said. The risk of miscalculation sparking a wider conflict remains a concern.
In the Red Sea, Houthi aggression continues to threaten innocent mariners and freedom of navigation. In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) forces destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — three over the Red Sea and two over Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These UAVs posed an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region.
Iranian-backed Houthis also launched multiple attacks against the MT Bentley I, a Panama-flagged, Israel-owned, Monaco-operated tanker carrying vegetable oil from Russia to China. The attack involved one unmanned surface vessel and two small boats, with no reported damage or injuries.
Additionally, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile towards the MT Bentley I, which caused no damage or injuries. They also attacked the MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged, Marshall Islands-owned, Greek-operated crude oil tanker, with an unmanned surface vessel, causing damage but no injuries.
Ryder concluded that the continued reckless behavior of the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Despite their claims of acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza, they are targeting third-country citizens unrelated to the Gaza conflict. Centcom will continue to work with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities.–News Desk