Israel Risks ‘Strategic Defeat’ If It Doesn’t Protect Civilians, Austin Says
- Defense secretary amplifies growing US concern as war resumes
- Protecting civilians is crucial in urban warfare, Austin says
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Israel risked “strategic defeat” in its war with Hamas if it fails to heed warnings about the mounting civilian death toll.
“I have personally pushed Israeli leaders to avoid civilian casualties, and to shun irresponsible rhetoric, and to prevent violence by settlers in the West Bank,” Austin said in a speech to the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday.