MAY 20, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke this afternoon with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz. Secretary Austin welcomed the Israeli Cabinet’s decision to agree to a ceasefire, and shared Minister Gantz’s hope that there will be a complete restoration of calm. Both parties agreed on the importance of Israel having the capabilities it needs to defend itself from rocket and missile attacks.
