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Austin, Gallant Discuss Israeli Military Operation in Khan Younis

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on March 9, 2023 (File/Reuters)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on March 9, 2023 (File/Reuters)
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Austin, Gallant Discuss Israeli Military Operation in Khan Younis

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on March 9, 2023 (File/Reuters)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on March 9, 2023 (File/Reuters)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raised on Thursday with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, the need for a credible plan to ensure the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering in Rafah in the Gaza Strip before any military operations proceed there.

In a phone call, the two sides discussed the Israel military operations in Khan Younis, a Pentagon readout said.

Austin also raised the need to improve the deconfliction process with humanitarian groups.

He stressed the importance of more aid reaching Palestinian civilians, as looting and violence hinder access to humanitarian convoys in Gaza.

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Lebanon’s New PM Sees Positive Atmosphere in Cabinet Formation Talks

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
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Lebanon’s New PM Sees Positive Atmosphere in Cabinet Formation Talks

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam said on Friday the formation of a new government would not be delayed, indicating a very positive atmosphere in discussions over its composition.

Salam was nominated by a majority of lawmakers on Monday to form the new government, although he did not win the backing of the Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

"The atmosphere is more than positive among all the blocs and today from Speaker Berri," Salam said, speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, who was elected by parliament on Jan. 9.

Berri, a close Hezbollah ally, said on Friday he held a "promising meeting" with Salam.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah and Amal had wanted the incumbent Prime Minister Najib Mikati to stay in the post, but a majority of lawmakers opted for Salam, who formerly served as president of the International Court of Justice.

Government formation discussions are often protracted in Lebanon, due to bartering among its sectarian factions over cabinet positions.