Protecting Gaza civilians a moral imperative, Pentagon chief tells Israel’s Gallant

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday said it was a moral and strategic imperative to protect Palestinian civilians, calling the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe,” as relations between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low.

“In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low,” Austin said at the start of the meeting with Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon.

“Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe,” Austin added.

The meeting between the two came after Netanyahu on Monday cancelled a separate visit to Washington by two of his most senior aides who were due to hear US ideas about operational alternatives.

Netanyahu’s fraught relations with Biden broke down over Washington’s decision not to veto a UN Security Council resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.