Washington, D.C. — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has praised the ceasefire agreement brokered by President Biden between Israel and Lebanon, calling it a “historic moment” for regional security. The ceasefire brings an end to recent violence, allowing tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes safely.
“Our support for Israel’s security remains ironclad, as does Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian-backed terrorist organizations like Lebanese Hizballah and Hamas,” said Austin.
While expressing hope that the de-escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border may pave the way for resolving the ongoing Gaza crisis, Austin emphasized the need to address humanitarian conditions in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, including U.S. citizens.
The Department of Defense is working closely with international and interagency partners to ensure the successful implementation of the ceasefire agreement.–News Desk