US Defense Secretary Austin Urges Targeted Approach in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israel-Gaza Conflict

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to urge Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza and transition to a more targeted approach, as global calls for a cease-fire grow. The 10-week-old war has resulted in the deaths of over 18,700 Palestinians, the displacement of 1.9 million people, and the destruction of much of Gaza. The U.S. has provided support to Israel while pressuring it to avoid harming civilians, but Israel has insisted on continuing major combat operations against Hamas. Israel has been accused of deliberately starving Gaza's population, while Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas using them as human shields. The war has also led to tensions in the region, with attacks between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed militant groups targeting U.S. interests.