1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,200 Ok , good morning . Every no , try that 2 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:05,389 again . Good afternoon , everyone . Uh 3 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:07,511 Just a few things at the top and then 4 00:00:07,511 --> 00:00:09,233 happy to jump in and take your 5 00:00:09,233 --> 00:00:11,122 questions . Uh So earlier today , 6 00:00:11,122 --> 00:00:13,233 Secretary Austin spoke with Ukraine's 7 00:00:13,233 --> 00:00:15,289 Minister of Defense Umarov regarding 8 00:00:15,289 --> 00:00:17,122 Ukraine's most pressing security 9 00:00:17,122 --> 00:00:19,178 assistance needs . The secretary and 10 00:00:19,178 --> 00:00:21,289 the minister discussed the ongoing US 11 00:00:21,289 --> 00:00:23,400 security assistance efforts following 12 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,456 the passage of the national security 13 00:00:25,456 --> 00:00:27,511 supplemental including the recent $1 14 00:00:27,511 --> 00:00:29,622 billion presidential drawdown package 15 00:00:29,622 --> 00:00:31,909 and $6 billion in Ukraine security 16 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,169 assistance initiative . Announcements , 17 00:00:34,450 --> 00:00:36,650 Minister Umarov provided an update of 18 00:00:36,659 --> 00:00:38,826 dynamics on the battlefield as well as 19 00:00:38,826 --> 00:00:41,048 the impact of Russia's continued aerial 20 00:00:41,048 --> 00:00:43,270 attacks across Ukraine . Additionally , 21 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:45,630 Secretary Austin also met today with 22 00:00:45,639 --> 00:00:47,695 his Majesty King Abdullah the second 23 00:00:47,695 --> 00:00:49,909 today to discuss regional areas of 24 00:00:49,919 --> 00:00:52,790 mutual concern and op opportunities for 25 00:00:52,799 --> 00:00:54,970 co-operation . A readout of their 26 00:00:54,979 --> 00:00:56,590 meeting will be available on 27 00:00:56,590 --> 00:00:59,610 defense.gov later today . Now I'd like 28 00:00:59,619 --> 00:01:01,619 to provide an update on our efforts 29 00:01:01,619 --> 00:01:03,563 with USA ID to search humanitarian 30 00:01:03,563 --> 00:01:05,730 assistance into Gaza through the joint 31 00:01:05,730 --> 00:01:07,897 logistics over the shore capability or 32 00:01:07,897 --> 00:01:10,389 also known as J Lots . As of today , 33 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:12,289 the US military has completed the 34 00:01:12,289 --> 00:01:14,430 offshore construction of the Trident 35 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,410 pier section or the causeway which is 36 00:01:17,419 --> 00:01:19,530 the component that will eventually be 37 00:01:19,530 --> 00:01:21,800 anchored to the Gaza shore . And as I 38 00:01:21,809 --> 00:01:23,920 mentioned last week , construction of 39 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:26,142 the floating pier section has also been 40 00:01:26,142 --> 00:01:28,489 completed . So as of today , the 41 00:01:28,500 --> 00:01:30,722 construction of the two portions of the 42 00:01:30,722 --> 00:01:33,000 J lots , the floating pier and the 43 00:01:33,010 --> 00:01:35,449 Trident pier are complete and awaiting 44 00:01:35,459 --> 00:01:38,610 final movement offshore . As you know , 45 00:01:38,620 --> 00:01:40,889 late last week , Centcom temporarily 46 00:01:40,900 --> 00:01:42,900 paused moving the floating pier and 47 00:01:42,900 --> 00:01:44,949 Trident pier toward the vicinity of 48 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:48,209 Gaza due to sea state considerations . 49 00:01:49,150 --> 00:01:51,206 Today , there are still forecasted , 50 00:01:51,206 --> 00:01:53,261 high winds and high sea swells which 51 00:01:53,261 --> 00:01:55,483 are causing unsafe conditions for the J 52 00:01:55,483 --> 00:01:57,539 lots components to be moved . So the 53 00:01:57,539 --> 00:01:59,483 pier sections and military vessels 54 00:01:59,483 --> 00:02:01,650 involved in its construction are still 55 00:02:01,650 --> 00:02:03,594 positioned at the port of Ashdod . 56 00:02:03,594 --> 00:02:05,761 However , as Centcom stands by to move 57 00:02:05,761 --> 00:02:07,706 the pure into position in the near 58 00:02:07,706 --> 00:02:09,761 future and again in partnership with 59 00:02:09,761 --> 00:02:11,983 USA ID , we're loading humanitarian aid 60 00:02:11,990 --> 00:02:14,899 onto the MV Sagamore which is currently 61 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:17,399 in Cyprus . The Sagamore is a cargo 62 00:02:17,410 --> 00:02:19,632 vessel that will use the JLO system and 63 00:02:19,632 --> 00:02:21,799 will make trips between Cyprus and the 64 00:02:21,799 --> 00:02:24,220 offshore floating pier as us aid and 65 00:02:24,229 --> 00:02:26,396 other partners collect aid from around 66 00:02:26,396 --> 00:02:28,396 the world . And as we've previously 67 00:02:28,396 --> 00:02:30,580 briefed aid delivered to the floating 68 00:02:30,589 --> 00:02:32,979 pier will then be trans loaded onto us 69 00:02:32,990 --> 00:02:35,460 military logistics support vessels and 70 00:02:35,470 --> 00:02:37,699 subsequently transported to the Trident 71 00:02:37,710 --> 00:02:40,330 Pier or the causeway where it will be 72 00:02:40,339 --> 00:02:42,506 loaded onto trucks for onward delivery 73 00:02:42,506 --> 00:02:44,610 and distribution by humanitarian 74 00:02:44,619 --> 00:02:48,289 assistance . NGO S switching gears . 75 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:50,936 I'd like to highlight the start of a 76 00:02:50,936 --> 00:02:52,880 new exer of , of exercise , Astral 77 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:54,830 night . A US European command 78 00:02:54,839 --> 00:02:56,783 integrated air and missile defense 79 00:02:56,783 --> 00:02:59,389 Capstone exercise , which is part of 80 00:02:59,399 --> 00:03:01,455 the defense department's large scale 81 00:03:01,455 --> 00:03:04,250 global exercise 2024 program . This two 82 00:03:04,259 --> 00:03:06,610 week exercise now in its sixth year 83 00:03:06,619 --> 00:03:09,050 will feature live flying and simulated 84 00:03:09,059 --> 00:03:11,490 combat scenarios focused in Poland and 85 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:14,300 the Baltic States . Nearly 5000 86 00:03:14,309 --> 00:03:16,198 military members and more than 50 87 00:03:16,198 --> 00:03:18,289 aircraft from six NATO nations which 88 00:03:18,300 --> 00:03:20,940 include Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , 89 00:03:20,949 --> 00:03:23,029 Poland , the United Kingdom and the 90 00:03:23,039 --> 00:03:25,470 United States will participate side by 91 00:03:25,479 --> 00:03:27,479 side , strengthening our ability to 92 00:03:27,479 --> 00:03:30,309 operate as one cohesive force . Astral 93 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:32,376 knight underscores the importance of 94 00:03:32,376 --> 00:03:34,487 integrated air and missile defense in 95 00:03:34,487 --> 00:03:36,598 protecting allied military forces and 96 00:03:36,598 --> 00:03:38,598 critical assets from aerial threats 97 00:03:38,598 --> 00:03:40,320 such as missiles or drones and 98 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:43,029 demonstrates our unwavering commitment 99 00:03:43,039 --> 00:03:45,095 to the security and readiness of our 100 00:03:45,095 --> 00:03:47,261 allies in Europe . And with that , I'd 101 00:03:47,261 --> 00:03:49,428 be happy to take your questions . I'll 102 00:03:49,428 --> 00:03:51,317 start off with Lita . Thank you , 103 00:03:51,317 --> 00:03:53,529 Sabrina . Um uh two things . One , can 104 00:03:53,539 --> 00:03:56,110 you give us an update on the soldier 105 00:03:56,119 --> 00:03:59,039 who's being held in Russia ? Do you 106 00:03:59,050 --> 00:04:01,106 have a sense ? Uh Apparently there's 107 00:04:01,106 --> 00:04:03,161 like a July 2nd , uh either trial or 108 00:04:03,161 --> 00:04:05,217 some sort of date . Do you have some 109 00:04:05,217 --> 00:04:07,550 sort of sense of what's happening there ? 110 00:04:07,550 --> 00:04:09,779 Um If you could just fill in the blanks 111 00:04:09,979 --> 00:04:13,910 and do you know , is it a violation 112 00:04:14,039 --> 00:04:16,679 of a regulation of some sort ? Does he 113 00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:20,084 face face discipline in action because 114 00:04:20,095 --> 00:04:21,975 he did not seek or receive 115 00:04:21,984 --> 00:04:23,984 authorization for the international 116 00:04:23,984 --> 00:04:26,151 travel if that's clear and then I have 117 00:04:26,151 --> 00:04:28,317 a quick follow up . Ok . So I'll start 118 00:04:28,317 --> 00:04:30,373 with , uh , I'll start with this and 119 00:04:30,373 --> 00:04:30,355 then happy to take your uh additional 120 00:04:30,364 --> 00:04:32,734 questions . So , um , for more 121 00:04:32,744 --> 00:04:36,075 information , um I would refer you to 122 00:04:36,084 --> 00:04:38,306 the army , but what I can tell you from 123 00:04:38,306 --> 00:04:40,473 here is that staff Sergeant , Gordon C 124 00:04:40,473 --> 00:04:42,674 black enlisted in the US Army as an 125 00:04:42,684 --> 00:04:45,304 infant infantryman and wasn't in , was 126 00:04:45,315 --> 00:04:48,179 enlisted as an infantryman in 2008 . He 127 00:04:48,190 --> 00:04:50,246 was most recently assigned to Eighth 128 00:04:50,246 --> 00:04:52,369 Army US forces . Korea at Camp 129 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,424 Humphreys in the Republic of South 130 00:04:54,424 --> 00:04:57,779 Korea on April 10th , black out process 131 00:04:57,790 --> 00:04:59,734 from eighth army and signed out on 132 00:04:59,734 --> 00:05:02,179 permanent change of station uh to leave 133 00:05:02,190 --> 00:05:04,809 en route to Texas . However , instead 134 00:05:04,820 --> 00:05:07,459 of returning to the US , uh black flew 135 00:05:07,470 --> 00:05:10,880 from Korea through China . Um and then 136 00:05:10,890 --> 00:05:13,070 to Vladivostok , Russia for personal 137 00:05:13,079 --> 00:05:16,549 reasons . Um As of right now , uh 138 00:05:17,079 --> 00:05:19,301 Black is in current , is currently in a 139 00:05:19,301 --> 00:05:21,412 pretrial detention facility . Um It's 140 00:05:21,412 --> 00:05:23,523 my understanding he will remain there 141 00:05:23,523 --> 00:05:25,850 until um his next hearing and , and I'm 142 00:05:25,859 --> 00:05:28,026 not sure on that date . I refer you to 143 00:05:28,026 --> 00:05:30,500 State Department on that . Um The army 144 00:05:30,510 --> 00:05:32,609 has opened an administrative 145 00:05:32,619 --> 00:05:35,299 investigation to determine the facts 146 00:05:35,309 --> 00:05:37,420 and the circumstances surrounding his 147 00:05:37,420 --> 00:05:41,279 travel . Um But to your question on um 148 00:05:41,510 --> 00:05:44,399 you know , will there be consequences 149 00:05:44,410 --> 00:05:46,632 for his actions ? That's something that 150 00:05:46,632 --> 00:05:48,799 the army is going to look into through 151 00:05:48,799 --> 00:05:51,399 their investigation . Um But official 152 00:05:51,450 --> 00:05:55,149 or any leave to , um , Russia strictly 153 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,382 prohibited . And that's pursuant to the 154 00:05:57,382 --> 00:05:59,760 dod foreign clearance guide , which of 155 00:05:59,769 --> 00:06:01,825 course is also informed by the State 156 00:06:01,825 --> 00:06:04,047 Department guidelines , which right now 157 00:06:04,047 --> 00:06:06,158 I believe that is at , um , I believe 158 00:06:06,158 --> 00:06:08,269 it's , it's category four which is do 159 00:06:08,269 --> 00:06:10,491 not travel to Russia . Um So that's the 160 00:06:10,491 --> 00:06:12,658 sort of overview of where things stand 161 00:06:12,658 --> 00:06:14,547 right now . Um And then just very 162 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:16,769 quickly on the , on the pier , will the 163 00:06:16,769 --> 00:06:19,859 Sagamore wait in Cypress until the pier 164 00:06:19,869 --> 00:06:23,200 is actually um attached to the 165 00:06:23,209 --> 00:06:26,380 shoreline and at , at a certain point , 166 00:06:26,390 --> 00:06:28,519 do you have sort of an even an eta on 167 00:06:28,559 --> 00:06:30,448 when the sea states might be calm 168 00:06:30,448 --> 00:06:32,503 enough to do it ? Is the aid process 169 00:06:32,503 --> 00:06:35,040 ready ? So that once the sea state 170 00:06:35,299 --> 00:06:38,899 calms down , that can start . So , um I 171 00:06:38,910 --> 00:06:41,390 believe they will uh the , the Sagamore 172 00:06:41,399 --> 00:06:43,399 transiting to , to , you know , the 173 00:06:43,399 --> 00:06:45,010 floating pier will happen in 174 00:06:45,010 --> 00:06:47,121 conjunction when it's when everything 175 00:06:47,121 --> 00:06:49,343 is sort of ready to fit into place . Um 176 00:06:49,343 --> 00:06:51,510 I don't think one would happen without 177 00:06:51,510 --> 00:06:54,170 the other . Um So uh aid is continuing 178 00:06:54,179 --> 00:06:56,179 to get loaded on . Um Once the 179 00:06:56,190 --> 00:06:58,301 commander feels that , you know , the 180 00:06:58,301 --> 00:07:00,523 Sagamore is ready to leave and that the 181 00:07:00,523 --> 00:07:02,559 sea states have calmed , um We will 182 00:07:02,570 --> 00:07:04,760 position the J lots into place . Um I 183 00:07:04,769 --> 00:07:06,602 don't have an exact date for you 184 00:07:06,602 --> 00:07:08,713 because it is of course , weather and 185 00:07:08,713 --> 00:07:10,769 environment depending . Um But we're 186 00:07:10,769 --> 00:07:12,769 hoping for later this week . Um But 187 00:07:12,769 --> 00:07:14,769 that does depend , of course on the 188 00:07:14,769 --> 00:07:16,713 environmental conditions and , and 189 00:07:16,713 --> 00:07:18,769 security conditions as well . But um 190 00:07:18,769 --> 00:07:20,936 right now we're , we're focused on the 191 00:07:20,936 --> 00:07:22,991 environmental conditions surrounding 192 00:07:22,991 --> 00:07:25,047 the anchoring of that pier . Laura . 193 00:07:25,047 --> 00:07:27,102 Thanks Serena . I have one follow up 194 00:07:27,102 --> 00:07:29,158 and then a different question on the 195 00:07:29,158 --> 00:07:31,269 Sagamore , how much aid can that ship 196 00:07:31,269 --> 00:07:33,325 hold in terms of truckloads ? And is 197 00:07:33,325 --> 00:07:35,158 this the only ship that's taking 198 00:07:35,158 --> 00:07:37,158 advantage of the pier ? I guess I'm 199 00:07:37,158 --> 00:07:39,269 wondering like kind of the throughput 200 00:07:39,269 --> 00:07:39,095 of aid and how that's going to work ? 201 00:07:39,105 --> 00:07:41,327 How many trucks a day ? Um You know , I 202 00:07:41,327 --> 00:07:43,327 don't have an exact estimate on how 203 00:07:43,327 --> 00:07:45,327 much , how many like pallets it can 204 00:07:45,327 --> 00:07:47,494 load . Um I'm happy to get back to you 205 00:07:47,494 --> 00:07:49,716 on that one . I think it will vary just 206 00:07:49,716 --> 00:07:51,834 on how much , you know , different 207 00:07:51,845 --> 00:07:54,890 things that are packed onto it . Um And 208 00:07:54,899 --> 00:07:56,955 then I'm sorry , in terms of it will 209 00:07:56,955 --> 00:07:58,955 just be the only one going back and 210 00:07:58,955 --> 00:08:01,010 forth from the floor trying to get a 211 00:08:01,010 --> 00:08:03,232 senior defense visual told us , I think 212 00:08:03,232 --> 00:08:03,190 last week that it's that it's gonna , 213 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:05,589 the JL is gonna be a lo to provide 100 214 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:07,822 and 50 trucks a day at full operational 215 00:08:07,822 --> 00:08:10,429 capability . But um that just seems low 216 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:12,440 to me considering that the maritime 217 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,662 route , it seems like a ship would hold 218 00:08:14,662 --> 00:08:16,718 more than that . Well , I mean , you 219 00:08:16,718 --> 00:08:18,773 have to remember this is a temporary 220 00:08:18,773 --> 00:08:20,940 pier . This is not the best way to get 221 00:08:20,940 --> 00:08:23,225 humanitarian aid into Gaza . The best 222 00:08:23,234 --> 00:08:25,456 way are through those land routes . And 223 00:08:25,456 --> 00:08:27,623 we do want to see those opened up . We 224 00:08:27,623 --> 00:08:29,790 do want to see aid continue to flow in 225 00:08:29,790 --> 00:08:31,956 through those land crossings . Um This 226 00:08:31,956 --> 00:08:33,790 is just one , it's meant to help 227 00:08:33,790 --> 00:08:36,354 augment , um to help complement other 228 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,726 uh ways that aid can get in . Not just 229 00:08:38,726 --> 00:08:40,892 do land routes , but of course , we're 230 00:08:40,892 --> 00:08:42,837 also doing those airdrops that you 231 00:08:42,837 --> 00:08:42,479 continue to see us do on a regular 232 00:08:42,489 --> 00:08:46,260 basis . Um I mean , 100 50 trucks is at 233 00:08:46,270 --> 00:08:48,103 its , you know , when it's fully 234 00:08:48,103 --> 00:08:50,103 operational . Um , I think you're , 235 00:08:50,103 --> 00:08:51,992 what you're gonna see at the very 236 00:08:51,992 --> 00:08:54,048 beginning is a , um , crawl walk run 237 00:08:54,048 --> 00:08:56,326 scenario was we're going to start with , 238 00:08:56,326 --> 00:08:58,437 you know , an additional small amount 239 00:08:58,437 --> 00:09:00,437 of a trucks to flow in to make sure 240 00:09:00,437 --> 00:09:02,270 that the system works , that the 241 00:09:02,270 --> 00:09:04,437 distribution works and then you'll see 242 00:09:04,437 --> 00:09:06,548 that increase . Um , of course , when 243 00:09:06,548 --> 00:09:06,479 we get to full operational capacity . 244 00:09:06,619 --> 00:09:08,859 Um , but that's something that the 245 00:09:08,869 --> 00:09:11,202 commander is continuing to work through . 246 00:09:11,202 --> 00:09:13,091 Uh , for more a like for more aid 247 00:09:13,091 --> 00:09:15,313 questions on the Sagamore and what it's 248 00:09:15,313 --> 00:09:17,536 holding , I would refer you to USA ID . 249 00:09:17,536 --> 00:09:19,591 And then just on a separate topic is 250 00:09:19,591 --> 00:09:21,702 the US considering the use of private 251 00:09:21,702 --> 00:09:23,813 military companies to help distribute 252 00:09:23,813 --> 00:09:26,091 aid in Gaza . Um I'm not aware of that , 253 00:09:26,091 --> 00:09:28,380 but that's something that , um , USA ID 254 00:09:28,390 --> 00:09:30,334 would be able to speak more to the 255 00:09:30,334 --> 00:09:32,446 distribution of aid once it gets into 256 00:09:32,446 --> 00:09:34,612 Gaza . Um , so I'd refer you to them . 257 00:09:34,612 --> 00:09:36,668 I also realized that you asked about 258 00:09:36,668 --> 00:09:38,834 the Sagamore being the only ship going 259 00:09:38,834 --> 00:09:41,112 back and forth . Um Just as a reminder , 260 00:09:41,112 --> 00:09:43,334 commercial ships can also go up to that 261 00:09:43,334 --> 00:09:45,668 floating pier . It's the military ships , 262 00:09:45,668 --> 00:09:47,723 the LC US and the LSVS that take the 263 00:09:47,723 --> 00:09:49,612 aid from the floating pier to the 264 00:09:49,612 --> 00:09:52,159 causeway that is only military but 265 00:09:52,169 --> 00:09:54,280 commercial ships can go up once there 266 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:57,440 other ships can , once they um once aid 267 00:09:57,450 --> 00:09:59,960 is loaded in Cyprus inspected , it goes 268 00:09:59,969 --> 00:10:02,679 to the floating pier to the US has 269 00:10:02,690 --> 00:10:04,801 asked for a humanitarian plan for any 270 00:10:04,801 --> 00:10:06,579 Rafah operation . Have you guys 271 00:10:06,579 --> 00:10:08,579 received anything from the Israelis 272 00:10:08,579 --> 00:10:10,468 about how they're going to handle 273 00:10:10,468 --> 00:10:12,468 humanitarian effort , especially if 274 00:10:12,468 --> 00:10:14,523 Rafah Gate closes . Well , we've had 275 00:10:14,523 --> 00:10:16,746 conversations with the Israelis . There 276 00:10:16,746 --> 00:10:19,049 was a delegation here a few weeks ago 277 00:10:19,059 --> 00:10:21,400 that , you know , gave a general broad 278 00:10:21,409 --> 00:10:24,520 overview of their plans . We are not 279 00:10:24,530 --> 00:10:26,979 supportive of a large ground incursion 280 00:10:26,989 --> 00:10:30,539 into Rafa . We are very concerned that , 281 00:10:31,710 --> 00:10:33,710 you know , there are over 1 million 282 00:10:33,710 --> 00:10:35,766 people sheltering there . We want to 283 00:10:35,766 --> 00:10:35,650 make sure that civilian casualties are 284 00:10:35,659 --> 00:10:38,000 limited that there is no harm done . Um 285 00:10:38,010 --> 00:10:41,280 So we have made those concerns , voiced 286 00:10:41,289 --> 00:10:43,345 both , both publicly and privately . 287 00:10:43,345 --> 00:10:45,400 Give us a sense of what they said to 288 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:47,511 you about their humanitarian plan . I 289 00:10:47,511 --> 00:10:49,733 as you can appreciate just not going to 290 00:10:49,733 --> 00:10:51,845 get into um closed door discussions . 291 00:10:51,845 --> 00:10:53,956 But as you know , and as we regularly 292 00:10:53,956 --> 00:10:56,178 read out , uh the secretary has regular 293 00:10:56,178 --> 00:10:58,345 calls with Minister Galan and um other 294 00:10:58,345 --> 00:11:00,345 folks from this building with their 295 00:11:00,345 --> 00:11:00,159 counterparts as well . So we're 296 00:11:00,169 --> 00:11:02,336 certainly in touch with the Israelis . 297 00:11:02,336 --> 00:11:05,109 Um , but , uh , we certainly do not 298 00:11:05,119 --> 00:11:07,341 support and have expressed our views on 299 00:11:07,341 --> 00:11:09,563 a major ground operation within Rafah . 300 00:11:09,563 --> 00:11:11,508 Say you satisfied with what you're 301 00:11:11,508 --> 00:11:13,730 hearing about their humanitarian plan . 302 00:11:13,730 --> 00:11:15,952 Um , I mean , again , I'm not gonna get 303 00:11:15,952 --> 00:11:18,063 into private conversations . We wanna 304 00:11:18,063 --> 00:11:20,286 see a co , we wanna see a concrete plan 305 00:11:20,286 --> 00:11:22,452 that will take into account , um , the 306 00:11:22,452 --> 00:11:24,508 over 1 million people that are there 307 00:11:24,508 --> 00:11:26,730 right now . Uh We don't support a large 308 00:11:26,730 --> 00:11:28,897 ground operation in Tarafa . I work my 309 00:11:28,897 --> 00:11:30,952 way down . I think Pat mentioned the 310 00:11:30,952 --> 00:11:32,786 security situation as one of the 311 00:11:32,786 --> 00:11:35,008 factors that could impact the timing of 312 00:11:35,008 --> 00:11:37,175 the pier of the coast of Gaza has have 313 00:11:37,175 --> 00:11:39,397 the Israeli strikes and sort of limited 314 00:11:39,397 --> 00:11:42,559 operation in Rafah changed your view of 315 00:11:42,570 --> 00:11:44,626 the security situation . Are you now 316 00:11:44,626 --> 00:11:46,681 more concerned about it ? Given what 317 00:11:46,681 --> 00:11:48,681 happened yesterday in Rafah , we're 318 00:11:48,681 --> 00:11:50,570 certainly taking into account the 319 00:11:50,580 --> 00:11:52,413 security consideration but still 320 00:11:52,413 --> 00:11:54,302 nothing has changed . We're still 321 00:11:54,302 --> 00:11:55,913 moving forward with um , the 322 00:11:55,913 --> 00:11:57,913 implementation of J Lots . Uh We do 323 00:11:57,913 --> 00:12:01,119 need these sc state conditions to study . 324 00:12:01,260 --> 00:12:03,371 Um And until they do , we're just not 325 00:12:03,371 --> 00:12:05,482 able to move that into the , into the 326 00:12:05,482 --> 00:12:07,704 um into its location at this time . But 327 00:12:07,704 --> 00:12:09,816 of course , the security situation is 328 00:12:09,816 --> 00:12:12,038 something that we're going to monitor . 329 00:12:12,038 --> 00:12:12,030 And if that does impact anything , when 330 00:12:12,039 --> 00:12:15,719 it comes to um the J Lots uh mission , 331 00:12:15,729 --> 00:12:18,380 we would , we would let you know and I 332 00:12:18,390 --> 00:12:20,557 realize your policy on sending weapons 333 00:12:20,557 --> 00:12:22,723 to Israel as a whole has not changed , 334 00:12:22,723 --> 00:12:24,946 but officials are saying some shipments 335 00:12:24,946 --> 00:12:27,112 have been paused . What are the , what 336 00:12:27,112 --> 00:12:26,719 message are you trying to send to 337 00:12:26,729 --> 00:12:28,840 Israel with those odds of shipments ? 338 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:30,951 So , I don't have a , I've seen those 339 00:12:30,951 --> 00:12:33,118 reports . I don't have a comment and I 340 00:12:33,118 --> 00:12:35,285 certainly wouldn't comment on specific 341 00:12:35,285 --> 00:12:37,489 cases or shipments . Um , what I can 342 00:12:37,500 --> 00:12:39,500 reiterate is that our commitment to 343 00:12:39,500 --> 00:12:41,556 Israel's security remains ironclad . 344 00:12:41,556 --> 00:12:43,611 You've seen that since October 7th , 345 00:12:43,611 --> 00:12:45,833 you've seen a surge security assistance 346 00:12:45,833 --> 00:12:48,056 to Israel . Um , you've seen us come to 347 00:12:48,056 --> 00:12:50,222 the defense of Israel as recently as a 348 00:12:50,222 --> 00:12:52,056 few weeks ago when Iran launched 349 00:12:52,056 --> 00:12:54,278 attacks towards , um , Israel , we also 350 00:12:54,278 --> 00:12:56,215 were able to pass an emergency 351 00:12:56,224 --> 00:12:58,335 supplemental that searched additional 352 00:12:58,335 --> 00:13:00,955 security assistance to Israel . So , um , 353 00:13:00,965 --> 00:13:02,965 well , I'm not going to comment any 354 00:13:02,965 --> 00:13:04,854 further . I can tell you that our 355 00:13:04,854 --> 00:13:06,687 commitments to Israel's security 356 00:13:06,687 --> 00:13:08,965 remains the same . Thank you , Sabrina . 357 00:13:08,965 --> 00:13:11,076 Were you given any heads up from your 358 00:13:11,076 --> 00:13:13,270 Israeli counterparts about this latest 359 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,190 operation into Rafah ? What is your 360 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,144 understanding ? You said we do not 361 00:13:18,144 --> 00:13:20,256 support the major operation . Is this 362 00:13:20,256 --> 00:13:22,422 part of a major operation or limited ? 363 00:13:22,422 --> 00:13:24,478 What is the information available to 364 00:13:24,478 --> 00:13:24,460 you ? Our understanding is that this 365 00:13:24,469 --> 00:13:27,619 was a , um , a very limited operation 366 00:13:27,630 --> 00:13:30,200 designed to cut off , um , hamas' 367 00:13:30,210 --> 00:13:32,820 ability to smuggle more weapons and 368 00:13:32,830 --> 00:13:35,359 funding into Gaza . Um , that is our 369 00:13:35,369 --> 00:13:38,080 understanding right now . Um , this 370 00:13:38,090 --> 00:13:41,010 just happened , uh I think very early 371 00:13:41,020 --> 00:13:42,687 morning hours here . So we're 372 00:13:42,687 --> 00:13:44,687 monitoring the situation . We're in 373 00:13:44,687 --> 00:13:46,798 touch with our Israeli counterparts . 374 00:13:46,798 --> 00:13:48,909 We're going to see how this unfolds , 375 00:13:48,909 --> 00:13:51,020 but I just don't have more for you to 376 00:13:51,020 --> 00:13:53,187 offer on like what this operation is . 377 00:13:53,187 --> 00:13:56,280 Other than that , according to the this 378 00:13:56,289 --> 00:14:00,200 operation and prior Israeli steps 379 00:14:00,210 --> 00:14:03,869 basically cut off all humanitarian 380 00:14:03,929 --> 00:14:06,390 aid into Gaza . All crossings are shut 381 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:09,200 down in this one area . Rafah , 382 00:14:09,369 --> 00:14:11,590 obviously , uh you've been insisting 383 00:14:11,599 --> 00:14:13,655 and the secretary and every read out 384 00:14:13,655 --> 00:14:15,877 that there should be an urgent increase 385 00:14:15,877 --> 00:14:18,479 uh in humanitarian aid is this 386 00:14:18,489 --> 00:14:21,090 operation and the closing of the Rafa 387 00:14:21,500 --> 00:14:24,960 crossing meet uh your uh uh 388 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:28,650 objectives in terms of the humanitarian 389 00:14:28,659 --> 00:14:30,659 situation in Gaza . Well , we don't 390 00:14:30,659 --> 00:14:32,789 support the closing of these land 391 00:14:32,799 --> 00:14:34,855 routes . We want to see humanitarian 392 00:14:34,855 --> 00:14:37,077 aid to continue to get in . Um And so I 393 00:14:37,077 --> 00:14:38,966 think that was something that the 394 00:14:38,966 --> 00:14:40,966 president spoke to in his call with 395 00:14:40,966 --> 00:14:40,919 Prime Minister Netanyahu is that we do 396 00:14:40,929 --> 00:14:43,419 want to see these crossings open . 397 00:14:43,630 --> 00:14:45,686 Karem Shalom has been closed for , I 398 00:14:45,686 --> 00:14:48,700 think a bit now . Um So we do want to 399 00:14:48,710 --> 00:14:50,710 see more aid be able to get through 400 00:14:50,710 --> 00:14:52,821 these crossing . That is a commitment 401 00:14:52,821 --> 00:14:54,877 that the Israeli government has made 402 00:14:54,877 --> 00:14:57,099 that they will um again , we are we are 403 00:14:57,099 --> 00:14:59,266 continuing to monitor the situation on 404 00:14:59,266 --> 00:15:01,488 the ground to Lara's question earlier , 405 00:15:01,488 --> 00:15:03,710 we know land routes are the best , most 406 00:15:03,710 --> 00:15:05,543 effective , efficient way to get 407 00:15:05,543 --> 00:15:07,710 humanitarian aid in . And we know that 408 00:15:07,710 --> 00:15:09,821 the humanitarian situation in Gaza is 409 00:15:09,821 --> 00:15:11,877 dire . Um And so people need the the 410 00:15:11,877 --> 00:15:14,530 medical supplies , the food , the water . 411 00:15:14,619 --> 00:15:16,786 Um , that is something that we want to 412 00:15:16,786 --> 00:15:18,849 see continue to get in . And we have 413 00:15:18,859 --> 00:15:20,859 been told that these crossings will 414 00:15:20,859 --> 00:15:23,309 open back up . Um , in the meantime , 415 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,264 you know , we've also continued to 416 00:15:25,264 --> 00:15:27,320 conduct humanitarian airdrops within 417 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:29,690 Gaza . And should we get to the time 418 00:15:29,700 --> 00:15:31,867 and point where we're able to position 419 00:15:31,867 --> 00:15:33,922 this temporary pier off the coast of 420 00:15:33,922 --> 00:15:35,589 Gaza that will also help with 421 00:15:35,589 --> 00:15:37,422 humanitarian aid getting in or a 422 00:15:37,422 --> 00:15:39,644 question on Rafa to follow up on Friday 423 00:15:39,644 --> 00:15:41,756 and then a question on the soldier in 424 00:15:41,756 --> 00:15:43,756 Russia and in the discussions about 425 00:15:43,756 --> 00:15:43,460 what you call the general broad 426 00:15:43,469 --> 00:15:45,636 overview of , of Israel's Rafa plans . 427 00:15:46,090 --> 00:15:48,312 Was there discussion about this limited 428 00:15:48,312 --> 00:15:50,368 operation or was there no discussion 429 00:15:50,368 --> 00:15:52,534 about this previously with you between 430 00:15:52,534 --> 00:15:54,646 America and Israel ? So we don't have 431 00:15:54,646 --> 00:15:54,520 more to share in terms of the 432 00:15:54,530 --> 00:15:56,752 conversation between Minister Galan and 433 00:15:56,752 --> 00:15:58,869 Secretary Austin . Um But as you can 434 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,809 appreciate they talk pretty regularly . 435 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:04,047 Uh their conversations are already are 436 00:16:04,047 --> 00:16:06,200 very direct , um very frank with each 437 00:16:06,210 --> 00:16:08,432 other . Um But I'm just not going to go 438 00:16:08,432 --> 00:16:10,654 into more details on that . Um How soon 439 00:16:10,654 --> 00:16:12,766 Rafa could function again as , as one 440 00:16:12,766 --> 00:16:14,932 of the most important crossings ? That 441 00:16:14,932 --> 00:16:16,877 would be something for the for the 442 00:16:16,877 --> 00:16:16,099 Israeli government to speak to . I I 443 00:16:16,109 --> 00:16:18,053 can't speak to that . And then the 444 00:16:18,053 --> 00:16:20,276 follow up question on on staff , Gordon 445 00:16:20,276 --> 00:16:22,799 Black , is there any suspicion or 446 00:16:22,809 --> 00:16:25,330 concern that in his relationship with 447 00:16:25,340 --> 00:16:27,284 his Russian girlfriend or while in 448 00:16:27,284 --> 00:16:29,173 Russia , he compromised sensitive 449 00:16:29,173 --> 00:16:31,284 information . And is that part of the 450 00:16:31,284 --> 00:16:33,396 ongoing investigation ? I'd refer you 451 00:16:33,396 --> 00:16:35,562 to army for more information on that . 452 00:16:35,562 --> 00:16:35,489 As I mentioned , there is um an 453 00:16:35,500 --> 00:16:37,669 administrative investigation underway 454 00:16:37,799 --> 00:16:39,966 um to determine the facts to determine 455 00:16:39,966 --> 00:16:43,330 what exactly happened here , um the 456 00:16:43,340 --> 00:16:45,400 surrounding his travel , but I just 457 00:16:45,409 --> 00:16:47,631 don't have morphing on that . Yes , Joe 458 00:16:48,770 --> 00:16:50,770 Biden administration is required to 459 00:16:50,770 --> 00:16:53,030 notify Congress by tomorrow if Israel 460 00:16:53,380 --> 00:16:55,324 violated international law without 461 00:16:55,324 --> 00:16:58,289 humanitarian aid since October is a 462 00:16:58,299 --> 00:17:00,355 department . What's the department's 463 00:17:00,355 --> 00:17:02,410 assessment in terms of either one of 464 00:17:02,410 --> 00:17:04,521 those have they violated or have they 465 00:17:04,521 --> 00:17:04,239 withheld humanitarian aid ? So I 466 00:17:04,250 --> 00:17:06,910 believe you're referring to the NSM and 467 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:09,031 that's something that I would have to 468 00:17:09,031 --> 00:17:10,976 refer you to state to speak to the 469 00:17:10,976 --> 00:17:13,050 Pentagon assessed that Israel has 470 00:17:13,060 --> 00:17:14,890 violated national law or with 471 00:17:15,030 --> 00:17:17,252 humanitarian . I don't have anything to 472 00:17:17,252 --> 00:17:19,419 add on to this one . This is something 473 00:17:19,419 --> 00:17:21,474 that the State Department is putting 474 00:17:21,474 --> 00:17:21,410 together . It's a report to Congress 475 00:17:21,420 --> 00:17:24,069 that is , you know , do every however 476 00:17:24,079 --> 00:17:26,190 many in increments , but I just don't 477 00:17:26,190 --> 00:17:28,357 have more at this time to offer on the 478 00:17:28,357 --> 00:17:30,523 NSM , in particular human rights watch 479 00:17:30,523 --> 00:17:32,635 came out with a report and said there 480 00:17:32,635 --> 00:17:35,619 was a March 27th attack on emergency 481 00:17:35,630 --> 00:17:38,250 and relief workers , several of them in 482 00:17:38,260 --> 00:17:41,800 southern Lebanon um by Israel and 483 00:17:42,329 --> 00:17:44,819 they say that a US made J Dam was used 484 00:17:44,829 --> 00:17:47,520 as well as a £500 Israeli bomb . Um It 485 00:17:47,530 --> 00:17:49,959 killed like I said , these several uh 486 00:17:49,969 --> 00:17:51,913 individuals who were civilians and 487 00:17:51,913 --> 00:17:54,080 there's been no evidence of a military 488 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,302 target at the site . Are you guys aware 489 00:17:56,302 --> 00:17:58,359 of this ? Um , how close , I mean , 490 00:17:58,369 --> 00:18:00,425 we've seen , you've said before that 491 00:18:00,425 --> 00:18:02,202 there are no conditions on us , 492 00:18:02,202 --> 00:18:04,425 military weapons or weapons provided to 493 00:18:04,425 --> 00:18:06,480 Israel . Are you guys tracking these 494 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,536 kinds of things at all ? And are you 495 00:18:08,536 --> 00:18:08,510 aware of this attack ? So I'm not going 496 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,030 to get into specific incidents and I 497 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,262 can't confirm those reports that you're 498 00:18:13,262 --> 00:18:15,373 citing us weapons being used . What I 499 00:18:15,373 --> 00:18:17,680 can tell you is that uh 500 00:18:18,910 --> 00:18:21,300 we have been very clear that we want to 501 00:18:21,310 --> 00:18:23,439 see Israel comply with humanitarian 502 00:18:23,449 --> 00:18:25,560 laws and the laws of armed conflict . 503 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:27,780 Um This is something that it's an 504 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:31,109 interagency process um that uh between 505 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:33,341 the state department , other agencies , 506 00:18:33,341 --> 00:18:35,563 we are reviewing our findings will also 507 00:18:35,563 --> 00:18:37,786 go into the NSM . Um for more on that . 508 00:18:37,786 --> 00:18:40,008 I'm just not going to get ahead of that 509 00:18:40,008 --> 00:18:42,008 process as you can appreciate . I'd 510 00:18:42,008 --> 00:18:41,959 refer to the State Department just one 511 00:18:41,969 --> 00:18:44,670 last one . The uh the I has returned to 512 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:48,310 the Red Sea . Um We saw a statement a 513 00:18:48,329 --> 00:18:50,551 couple , I guess a couple weeks ago now 514 00:18:50,551 --> 00:18:52,662 that it had gone into the sixth fleet 515 00:18:52,662 --> 00:18:54,718 into Europe . Can you say anything ? 516 00:18:54,718 --> 00:18:56,718 And then , you know , on April 23rd 517 00:18:56,718 --> 00:18:59,199 Centcom released or put out a tweet and 518 00:18:59,209 --> 00:19:01,819 said there were sixteens deployed to , 519 00:19:01,829 --> 00:19:04,380 to the A Aor didn't say specify where 520 00:19:04,390 --> 00:19:06,446 can you say anything about ? Can you 521 00:19:06,446 --> 00:19:08,420 give us any updates on this . Um I 522 00:19:08,430 --> 00:19:10,819 guess uh mission to counter deter the 523 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:12,959 houthis is the IC . Has it been 524 00:19:12,969 --> 00:19:14,802 deployed ? Has it been , has the 525 00:19:14,802 --> 00:19:16,939 deployment been extended ? Um So I 526 00:19:16,949 --> 00:19:18,893 don't have anything for you on any 527 00:19:18,893 --> 00:19:21,005 changes to our force posture with the 528 00:19:21,005 --> 00:19:23,469 IC or anything additional . Um You have 529 00:19:23,510 --> 00:19:26,819 uh the positioning of our assets there 530 00:19:26,829 --> 00:19:29,709 for the exact reason to um help with 531 00:19:29,719 --> 00:19:32,510 deterrence . Um and our , and our , and 532 00:19:32,540 --> 00:19:34,707 our efforts when it comes to operation 533 00:19:34,707 --> 00:19:36,596 Prosperity Guardian , which is to 534 00:19:36,596 --> 00:19:38,818 ensure that commercial shipping through 535 00:19:38,818 --> 00:19:40,818 the Red Sea , that Ba M the Gulf of 536 00:19:40,818 --> 00:19:42,873 Aden can continue freely without the 537 00:19:42,873 --> 00:19:44,762 harassment of Houthi attacks . Um 538 00:19:44,762 --> 00:19:47,040 You've seen Centcom put out , you know , 539 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:48,929 regular updates on when there are 540 00:19:48,929 --> 00:19:50,818 engagements . Um But I don't have 541 00:19:50,818 --> 00:19:52,984 anything more to , to read out at this 542 00:19:52,984 --> 00:19:55,349 time on the Ike Liz . Thanks . Um Last 543 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,526 week , Secretary Austin told lawmakers 544 00:19:57,526 --> 00:19:59,748 he was concerned over a quote , lack of 545 00:19:59,748 --> 00:20:03,280 execution in terms of um Israel's plans 546 00:20:03,290 --> 00:20:06,069 to evacuate civilians from Gaza . Um Is 547 00:20:06,079 --> 00:20:07,968 that still the case ? Is he still 548 00:20:07,968 --> 00:20:10,190 concerned about the lack of execution ? 549 00:20:10,190 --> 00:20:12,412 I think we are concerned about any type 550 00:20:12,412 --> 00:20:14,900 of um ground operation , large ground 551 00:20:14,910 --> 00:20:16,966 operation within Rafah that does not 552 00:20:16,966 --> 00:20:18,854 take into account that very large 553 00:20:18,854 --> 00:20:21,000 civilian population . Uh So yes , the 554 00:20:21,010 --> 00:20:22,954 Secretary's words still absolutely 555 00:20:22,954 --> 00:20:25,189 stand to today from Joseph's question . 556 00:20:25,329 --> 00:20:27,839 Um So was the US si brought back into 557 00:20:27,849 --> 00:20:29,793 the Red Sea to counter the Houthis 558 00:20:29,793 --> 00:20:32,119 because there were increased attacks 559 00:20:32,130 --> 00:20:35,030 when it was in the Eastern Med II . I 560 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,207 again , I don't have the , the list of 561 00:20:37,207 --> 00:20:39,373 attacks that happened when she was not 562 00:20:39,373 --> 00:20:41,540 in the Red Sea , but , you know , we , 563 00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:43,707 we have other partner nations that are 564 00:20:43,707 --> 00:20:45,540 part of operation , prosperity , 565 00:20:45,540 --> 00:20:47,651 Guardian and others that are not that 566 00:20:47,651 --> 00:20:49,873 were engaging when the houthis did fire 567 00:20:49,873 --> 00:20:51,984 attacks um , unlawfully at commercial 568 00:20:51,984 --> 00:20:54,640 vessels . Um I think I read out when , 569 00:20:54,650 --> 00:20:56,761 you know , when she , I said that she 570 00:20:56,761 --> 00:20:58,983 would be back soon , she has returned , 571 00:20:58,983 --> 00:21:01,094 but I just don't have more for you on 572 00:21:01,094 --> 00:21:03,428 um anything additional or any extension . 573 00:21:03,428 --> 00:21:05,372 Um I'm just gonna go to the phones 574 00:21:05,372 --> 00:21:07,594 before I forget and then come back into 575 00:21:07,594 --> 00:21:09,872 the , to the room here . Uh Jared Zuba , 576 00:21:09,872 --> 00:21:12,810 I'll monitor . Hi , Sabrina . Thanks 577 00:21:12,819 --> 00:21:15,339 for doing this . Um I understand that 578 00:21:15,349 --> 00:21:17,349 uh Israeli officials told the White 579 00:21:17,349 --> 00:21:19,405 House counterparts that last night's 580 00:21:19,405 --> 00:21:21,571 Rafah operation in Rafah was limited . 581 00:21:21,571 --> 00:21:23,905 Um But what preparations are you seeing ? 582 00:21:23,905 --> 00:21:26,071 Uh the Israeli military make , does it 583 00:21:26,071 --> 00:21:28,071 look like they're setting up for uh 584 00:21:28,071 --> 00:21:30,127 broader ground clearing major ground 585 00:21:30,127 --> 00:21:32,349 operations or does it look like they're 586 00:21:32,349 --> 00:21:34,405 preparing for something more precise 587 00:21:34,405 --> 00:21:36,460 and targeted and surgical ? Thanks . 588 00:21:36,460 --> 00:21:38,627 Thanks , Jared for the question . So , 589 00:21:38,627 --> 00:21:40,682 in terms of what they're doing their 590 00:21:40,682 --> 00:21:42,793 actual planning , um when it comes to 591 00:21:42,793 --> 00:21:42,380 any operation , I would refer you to 592 00:21:42,390 --> 00:21:44,810 the ID F to speak to that . Um What I 593 00:21:44,819 --> 00:21:47,041 can tell you . Um And I'm not trying to 594 00:21:47,041 --> 00:21:49,208 sound like a broken record here . What 595 00:21:49,208 --> 00:21:50,930 I can tell you is publicly and 596 00:21:50,930 --> 00:21:53,097 privately . We've been very clear that 597 00:21:53,097 --> 00:21:54,930 we do not support a large ground 598 00:21:54,930 --> 00:21:56,763 incursion in Tarafa given the um 599 00:21:57,109 --> 00:22:00,050 incredibly large civilian population 600 00:22:00,209 --> 00:22:02,640 that is currently sheltered there . Um 601 00:22:02,819 --> 00:22:04,930 And , and so , you know , I just have 602 00:22:04,930 --> 00:22:07,280 to reiterate that point again . Um All 603 00:22:07,290 --> 00:22:09,890 right . Uh Next question JJ Green WTO P . 604 00:22:13,260 --> 00:22:15,469 Hey Sabrina , thank you . Um Two quick 605 00:22:15,479 --> 00:22:18,079 questions about the uh staff sergeant 606 00:22:18,089 --> 00:22:20,479 black . Um First one , can you address 607 00:22:20,489 --> 00:22:22,880 the significance of an active duty 608 00:22:22,890 --> 00:22:25,819 service member being in Russian custody ? 609 00:22:25,869 --> 00:22:29,079 Given Russia's efforts to , I guess , 610 00:22:29,089 --> 00:22:30,978 essentially seek out and find and 611 00:22:30,978 --> 00:22:33,560 capture Americans and to use them for 612 00:22:33,569 --> 00:22:35,513 political purposes or geopolitical 613 00:22:35,513 --> 00:22:37,236 purposes . Can you address the 614 00:22:37,236 --> 00:22:39,347 significance ? First of a , an active 615 00:22:39,347 --> 00:22:41,569 duty US service member being in Russian 616 00:22:41,569 --> 00:22:44,439 custody ? Uh Thanks JJ . So 617 00:22:45,609 --> 00:22:48,650 be before I start going down . Um uh 618 00:22:48,660 --> 00:22:50,660 This line , I would just remind you 619 00:22:50,660 --> 00:22:52,716 that the army is looking into this . 620 00:22:52,716 --> 00:22:54,271 They have an administrative 621 00:22:54,271 --> 00:22:57,390 investigation underway to determine the 622 00:22:57,400 --> 00:22:59,400 facts and circumstances around this 623 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:01,622 travel . Um You have to remember that , 624 00:23:01,622 --> 00:23:03,678 yes , this is an active duty service 625 00:23:03,678 --> 00:23:06,270 member , but he was on leave at the 626 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:09,800 time . And so , uh you know , all we 627 00:23:09,810 --> 00:23:11,754 know is that he went to Russia for 628 00:23:11,754 --> 00:23:13,977 personal reasons . Um I don't have more 629 00:23:13,977 --> 00:23:16,199 to share as that is that the army is 630 00:23:16,209 --> 00:23:18,431 continuing to look into this incident . 631 00:23:18,431 --> 00:23:21,160 Um And for further questions on his 632 00:23:21,170 --> 00:23:23,479 condition or next steps , I'd refer you 633 00:23:23,489 --> 00:23:25,489 to the State Department for more on 634 00:23:25,489 --> 00:23:27,600 that . And I'm sorry , did you have a 635 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:29,656 follow up ? You know , actually I'll 636 00:23:29,656 --> 00:23:31,878 skip that , but thank you for answering 637 00:23:31,878 --> 00:23:31,609 that question . All right , I'll come 638 00:23:31,630 --> 00:23:33,630 back in the room . Yes . Right over 639 00:23:33,630 --> 00:23:36,579 here , sir . The sorry , the CFI 640 00:23:36,859 --> 00:23:39,699 proposal that Hamas they said they will 641 00:23:39,709 --> 00:23:41,931 accept it is the same offer that's been 642 00:23:41,931 --> 00:23:44,510 on the table for a long time . And have 643 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:47,030 you reviewed it with your partners ? So 644 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:48,762 I would refer you to the State 645 00:23:48,762 --> 00:23:50,707 Department and as you are probably 646 00:23:50,707 --> 00:23:52,709 aware , um the bill burns is in the 647 00:23:52,719 --> 00:23:54,552 region and sort of leading these 648 00:23:54,552 --> 00:23:56,552 negotiations . So I I don't want to 649 00:23:56,552 --> 00:23:58,890 speak from here about um the ceasefire 650 00:23:58,900 --> 00:24:01,439 hostage negotiations that are taking 651 00:24:01,449 --> 00:24:03,782 place other than that they are underway . 652 00:24:03,782 --> 00:24:05,439 Um And you know , we have a 653 00:24:05,449 --> 00:24:07,616 representative at the table as well uh 654 00:24:07,616 --> 00:24:11,300 working to see um to ensure that 655 00:24:11,339 --> 00:24:13,283 that a ceasefire could be put into 656 00:24:13,283 --> 00:24:16,349 place if a cease , if a ceasefire were 657 00:24:16,359 --> 00:24:18,470 to be put into place , that obviously 658 00:24:18,470 --> 00:24:20,880 would increase chances of more 659 00:24:20,890 --> 00:24:23,890 humanitarian aid to get in to Gaza and 660 00:24:23,900 --> 00:24:25,900 of course , release more hostages , 661 00:24:25,900 --> 00:24:28,122 which is obviously something we want to 662 00:24:28,122 --> 00:24:30,233 see . Russia . Vladimir Putin ordered 663 00:24:30,233 --> 00:24:32,319 his forces to rehearse for a non 664 00:24:32,430 --> 00:24:35,119 strategic nuclear weapon . How do you 665 00:24:35,130 --> 00:24:38,709 look at it and have you seen any change 666 00:24:38,719 --> 00:24:42,660 in Russia's posture on nuclear ? How do 667 00:24:42,670 --> 00:24:45,060 we look at what Russia announced ? We 668 00:24:45,069 --> 00:24:46,569 look at that as completely 669 00:24:46,569 --> 00:24:49,439 irresponsible . We have not seen any 670 00:24:49,449 --> 00:24:51,282 reason to adjust our own nuclear 671 00:24:51,282 --> 00:24:53,530 posture . We haven't seen any 672 00:24:53,540 --> 00:24:55,707 indications that Russia plans to use a 673 00:24:55,707 --> 00:24:58,349 nuclear weapon , but it's deeply 674 00:24:58,359 --> 00:25:00,192 irresponsible and we're going to 675 00:25:00,192 --> 00:25:02,415 continue to monitor what's happening in 676 00:25:02,415 --> 00:25:04,748 the region . Yeah . Thank you , Sabrina . 677 00:25:04,748 --> 00:25:06,748 You've been saying for months now , 678 00:25:06,748 --> 00:25:08,970 this administration that you're against 679 00:25:08,970 --> 00:25:11,137 a major military operation of Rafa and 680 00:25:11,137 --> 00:25:12,979 they told over 100,000 people to 681 00:25:12,989 --> 00:25:15,300 evacuate in eastern Rafa . And that 682 00:25:15,310 --> 00:25:17,254 sounds like a lot of people . So , 683 00:25:17,254 --> 00:25:19,088 what's the definition of a major 684 00:25:19,088 --> 00:25:20,977 military operation ? What makes a 685 00:25:20,977 --> 00:25:23,088 limited military operation ? What's a 686 00:25:23,088 --> 00:25:25,254 major military operation ? Is there an 687 00:25:25,254 --> 00:25:27,477 acceptable number of civilians that can 688 00:25:27,477 --> 00:25:29,810 be put at greater risk for the Pentagon ? 689 00:25:29,810 --> 00:25:32,088 Like how , how do we know what's major ? 690 00:25:32,088 --> 00:25:34,400 Sure . Um , look as you can appreciate 691 00:25:34,410 --> 00:25:36,632 not going to get into more specifics on 692 00:25:36,632 --> 00:25:39,319 like their operations . And some of the 693 00:25:39,329 --> 00:25:41,589 things that they brief us on a major 694 00:25:41,599 --> 00:25:43,655 military operation would put at risk 695 00:25:43,655 --> 00:25:45,821 civilian lives , anything that puts at 696 00:25:45,821 --> 00:25:47,821 risk civilian lives within Rafah is 697 00:25:47,821 --> 00:25:50,155 something that we are not supportive of . 698 00:25:50,155 --> 00:25:52,210 We do not want to see a population , 699 00:25:52,210 --> 00:25:54,439 but over 1 million people who were , 700 00:25:54,469 --> 00:25:56,510 you know , directed there . Um When 701 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:58,631 other operations were going on in the 702 00:25:58,631 --> 00:26:00,631 north and the west were forced into 703 00:26:00,631 --> 00:26:02,464 Rafah , we don't want to see the 704 00:26:02,464 --> 00:26:04,687 civilian population put at risk knowing 705 00:26:04,687 --> 00:26:07,339 that also there is um uh tremendous 706 00:26:07,349 --> 00:26:09,405 hurdles of also getting humanitarian 707 00:26:09,405 --> 00:26:11,810 aid in medical supplies in . And so any 708 00:26:11,819 --> 00:26:14,469 type of military operation must take 709 00:26:14,479 --> 00:26:16,959 into account that large concentration 710 00:26:16,969 --> 00:26:18,858 of civilians . And right now , we 711 00:26:18,858 --> 00:26:20,969 haven't seen a cred , we , we need to 712 00:26:20,969 --> 00:26:23,136 see a credible plan that would protect 713 00:26:23,136 --> 00:26:25,025 those civilians . Um And so we're 714 00:26:25,025 --> 00:26:27,025 continuing to urge and speak to our 715 00:26:27,025 --> 00:26:29,191 Israeli counterparts about that plan . 716 00:26:29,191 --> 00:26:31,247 Um , and I'll just say about that so 717 00:26:31,247 --> 00:26:33,469 that , you know , over 100,000 people 718 00:26:33,479 --> 00:26:35,535 were taught to leave the area . That 719 00:26:35,535 --> 00:26:37,535 sounds like an alarming development 720 00:26:37,535 --> 00:26:39,868 because they can be put at greater risk . 721 00:26:39,868 --> 00:26:42,979 So this line that's drawn in the sand . 722 00:26:42,989 --> 00:26:44,822 How do you make sure that Israel 723 00:26:44,822 --> 00:26:47,045 doesn't cross that ? Yeah , again , I'm 724 00:26:47,045 --> 00:26:49,211 not putting a specific number on it on 725 00:26:49,211 --> 00:26:51,322 like how many people or need to leave 726 00:26:51,322 --> 00:26:53,390 or how many , uh you know , what a 727 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:55,233 large scale operation looks like 728 00:26:55,233 --> 00:26:57,344 because I'm not going to detail their 729 00:26:57,344 --> 00:26:59,567 own plans and what they share with us . 730 00:26:59,567 --> 00:27:01,789 That's something for them to speak to . 731 00:27:01,789 --> 00:27:03,956 What I can tell you is we have a large 732 00:27:03,956 --> 00:27:03,199 population of civilians that are 733 00:27:03,209 --> 00:27:05,265 sheltered in Rafah . They need to be 734 00:27:05,265 --> 00:27:07,153 protected if there is any type of 735 00:27:07,153 --> 00:27:09,780 operation or any type of major ground 736 00:27:09,790 --> 00:27:13,079 incursion um in into Rafa . And um we 737 00:27:13,089 --> 00:27:15,200 want to see those civilians protected 738 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:17,089 and to move over 1 million people 739 00:27:17,930 --> 00:27:20,109 that's gonna take a lot of time . So , 740 00:27:20,219 --> 00:27:22,349 uh we're , we're continuing to work 741 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:24,729 with our Israeli counterparts . Um And 742 00:27:24,739 --> 00:27:26,906 I'll just leave it at that . Yeah , in 743 00:27:26,906 --> 00:27:29,719 the back Carla , thanks . I uh vo I was 744 00:27:29,729 --> 00:27:32,569 told by a US military official that uh 745 00:27:32,579 --> 00:27:35,459 in , that some of the diplomatic 746 00:27:35,469 --> 00:27:37,802 clearances for flights have been denied , 747 00:27:37,930 --> 00:27:40,097 that's forced extended deployments the 748 00:27:40,097 --> 00:27:41,819 day to day life sustainment is 749 00:27:41,819 --> 00:27:44,097 continuing very via commercial contact . 750 00:27:44,097 --> 00:27:46,829 Uh , contract transportation . These 751 00:27:46,839 --> 00:27:48,839 raise a lot of questions . I mean , 752 00:27:48,839 --> 00:27:50,950 what's going on with the US forces in 753 00:27:50,950 --> 00:27:53,172 right now ? Are they allowed to leave ? 754 00:27:53,172 --> 00:27:55,283 Are they getting the medical supplies 755 00:27:55,283 --> 00:27:57,172 and equipment and ammunition , et 756 00:27:57,172 --> 00:27:59,395 cetera ? Everything that they need ? Uh 757 00:27:59,395 --> 00:28:01,561 And why is , what reason is giving the 758 00:28:01,561 --> 00:28:03,672 Pentagon for why they're denying some 759 00:28:03,672 --> 00:28:05,895 of the diplomatic clearances ? I direct 760 00:28:05,895 --> 00:28:08,117 you to the CNSP to speak to why they're 761 00:28:08,117 --> 00:28:08,050 denying some of the diplomatic 762 00:28:08,060 --> 00:28:11,979 clearances . Um We are working 763 00:28:11,989 --> 00:28:14,750 with the CNSP on what our orderly 764 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:17,359 withdrawal looks like . Um As of right 765 00:28:17,369 --> 00:28:20,099 now , our forces in still continue to 766 00:28:20,109 --> 00:28:22,239 have access to the necessary food , 767 00:28:22,250 --> 00:28:24,583 water , medical supplies that they need . 768 00:28:24,609 --> 00:28:26,665 Um But this is of course , something 769 00:28:26,665 --> 00:28:28,989 that we are working towards on what 770 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,056 that orderly withdrawal looks like . 771 00:28:31,056 --> 00:28:33,167 There have been some cases where some 772 00:28:33,167 --> 00:28:35,167 of our service members have um have 773 00:28:35,167 --> 00:28:38,479 left um for unforeseen 774 00:28:38,489 --> 00:28:42,250 circumstances . Um Right now , as I 775 00:28:42,260 --> 00:28:45,349 think we briefed um a few weeks ago , 776 00:28:45,359 --> 00:28:47,930 we will have another delegation led by 777 00:28:47,939 --> 00:28:50,106 someone from the Department of Defense 778 00:28:50,106 --> 00:28:52,328 that will go to Nyame to continue these 779 00:28:52,328 --> 00:28:54,106 conversations about the orderly 780 00:28:54,106 --> 00:28:56,290 withdrawal that um visit hasn't 781 00:28:56,300 --> 00:28:58,411 happened yet . So until that does and 782 00:28:58,411 --> 00:29:01,930 until um parameters are put around for 783 00:29:01,939 --> 00:29:04,106 these negotiations on what the orderly 784 00:29:04,106 --> 00:29:06,300 withdrawal looks like . Um We're still 785 00:29:06,310 --> 00:29:08,477 in a bit of this holding pattern until 786 00:29:08,477 --> 00:29:11,119 we can have those conversations uh real 787 00:29:11,130 --> 00:29:14,400 quickly on Russia . Um There have been 788 00:29:14,410 --> 00:29:17,109 requests uh for the Pentagon to kind of 789 00:29:17,119 --> 00:29:19,729 detail how Russia is able to use 790 00:29:19,739 --> 00:29:21,869 Starlink because Starlink is also 791 00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:24,920 contracted with dod . Um Do you have 792 00:29:24,930 --> 00:29:27,319 any details to provide on how Russia is 793 00:29:27,329 --> 00:29:29,551 able to use that on the battlefield and 794 00:29:29,551 --> 00:29:31,718 what the Pentagon and others are doing 795 00:29:31,718 --> 00:29:33,940 to try to prevent that from happening ? 796 00:29:33,940 --> 00:29:35,829 I don't have anything specific on 797 00:29:35,829 --> 00:29:38,051 Russia using Starlink as you know , our 798 00:29:38,051 --> 00:29:40,162 our contract with Starlink is for the 799 00:29:40,162 --> 00:29:42,218 Ukrainians to use , but I don't have 800 00:29:42,218 --> 00:29:44,385 anything more specific on Russia using 801 00:29:44,385 --> 00:29:46,440 starlink , Rio . Thanks so much . My 802 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:48,662 question is about the South China Sea . 803 00:29:48,662 --> 00:29:50,829 Um Recently , we have seen the Chinese 804 00:29:50,829 --> 00:29:52,940 dangerous options towards Philippines 805 00:29:52,940 --> 00:29:54,662 vessels , but recently Chinese 806 00:29:54,662 --> 00:29:56,607 government argued that there was a 807 00:29:56,607 --> 00:29:58,662 temporary special agreement with the 808 00:29:58,662 --> 00:30:00,881 former Philippine President Duterte in 809 00:30:00,891 --> 00:30:04,302 2016 and about the restricted 810 00:30:04,312 --> 00:30:07,141 access by Philippine vessels . Um and 811 00:30:07,151 --> 00:30:09,261 China accused the Philippine side of 812 00:30:09,271 --> 00:30:11,572 the recent tensions . So , can I ask 813 00:30:11,582 --> 00:30:13,860 for your comment on this Chinese crane ? 814 00:30:14,031 --> 00:30:16,212 Are you talking about like the firing 815 00:30:16,222 --> 00:30:18,111 of water can and things like that 816 00:30:18,111 --> 00:30:20,278 towards Philippine vessels ? Yes . And 817 00:30:20,278 --> 00:30:22,166 the China claims that there was a 818 00:30:22,251 --> 00:30:25,510 hidden agreement um with the Philippine 819 00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:29,060 side . Uh I'm not exactly clear or 820 00:30:29,069 --> 00:30:30,959 maybe not understanding about an 821 00:30:30,969 --> 00:30:33,025 agreement that you're referring to , 822 00:30:33,025 --> 00:30:35,199 but of course , we continue to monitor 823 00:30:35,209 --> 00:30:37,542 what's happening in the South China Sea . 824 00:30:37,542 --> 00:30:39,765 We continue to uh be alarmed when these 825 00:30:39,765 --> 00:30:42,030 incidents happen . Um whether it be 826 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:44,530 with uh Philippine vessels or other 827 00:30:44,540 --> 00:30:46,989 vessels , um We want to be able to see 828 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:49,829 the , you know , the , the um freedom 829 00:30:49,839 --> 00:30:51,783 of navigation to be upheld . So of 830 00:30:51,783 --> 00:30:53,783 course , we're going to continue to 831 00:30:53,783 --> 00:30:55,950 monitor uh what's happening there with 832 00:30:55,950 --> 00:30:58,117 our partners and allies . Yeah , thank 833 00:30:58,117 --> 00:31:00,189 you . Uh My question is about um 834 00:31:00,410 --> 00:31:03,770 another country in Africa , Chad . Um 835 00:31:03,780 --> 00:31:06,280 Could you give me the update on the 836 00:31:06,290 --> 00:31:09,469 situation in Chad ? Has the withdrawal 837 00:31:09,479 --> 00:31:11,910 of the , um has the withdrawal 838 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:14,390 withdrawn been completed or are there 839 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:17,119 any us personnel remaining in the 840 00:31:17,130 --> 00:31:19,780 country ? Um Thanks for the question . 841 00:31:19,790 --> 00:31:21,790 So I actually don't have much of an 842 00:31:21,790 --> 00:31:24,012 update other than what we provided last 843 00:31:24,012 --> 00:31:26,068 week , which is that there were some 844 00:31:26,068 --> 00:31:28,329 military personnel that did uh uh leave 845 00:31:28,339 --> 00:31:30,172 the country , some of which were 846 00:31:30,172 --> 00:31:32,550 already scheduled to rotate out . Um We 847 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:34,782 do still have military personnel in the 848 00:31:34,782 --> 00:31:37,004 country at the embassy . Um But I don't 849 00:31:37,004 --> 00:31:39,171 have more of an update for you on that 850 00:31:39,171 --> 00:31:41,227 other than that's basically where we 851 00:31:41,227 --> 00:31:43,338 were last week . So the situation has 852 00:31:43,338 --> 00:31:45,449 not been changed um because there was 853 00:31:45,449 --> 00:31:47,560 on a presidential election . Uh Yes . 854 00:31:48,920 --> 00:31:50,476 Yeah , we're continuing our 855 00:31:50,476 --> 00:31:52,698 conversations with the government , but 856 00:31:52,698 --> 00:31:54,920 I just don't have more to share at this 857 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:54,660 time . I'll come back in a sec . Let me 858 00:31:54,670 --> 00:31:56,670 just go . Uh I have two more on the 859 00:31:56,670 --> 00:31:58,892 phones . And then happy to come back in 860 00:31:58,892 --> 00:32:01,003 the room , uh Heather us and I thanks 861 00:32:01,003 --> 00:32:03,226 so much . Um , so the houthis have said 862 00:32:03,226 --> 00:32:05,719 that they're going to stop all ships 863 00:32:05,729 --> 00:32:07,840 that enter their operation or zone of 864 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:10,160 operation in the Red Sea . Um , so I 865 00:32:10,170 --> 00:32:12,459 have as well as uh target ships that 866 00:32:12,469 --> 00:32:14,302 they can reach with any of their 867 00:32:14,302 --> 00:32:16,358 weapons including in the meds . So I 868 00:32:16,358 --> 00:32:18,636 have two questions . The first is , uh , 869 00:32:18,636 --> 00:32:20,691 if there's been any talk of updating 870 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:23,199 the presence in the Red Sea in order to 871 00:32:23,209 --> 00:32:25,376 come this latest threat . And then the 872 00:32:25,376 --> 00:32:27,320 second one , is there any concerns 873 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:29,655 about or I guess how is the US prepared 874 00:32:29,665 --> 00:32:31,776 to protect ships that are going to be 875 00:32:31,776 --> 00:32:33,694 bringing in aid in the med to the 876 00:32:33,704 --> 00:32:35,925 temporary pier uh from any potential 877 00:32:35,935 --> 00:32:38,046 Houthi attacks , considering that the 878 00:32:38,046 --> 00:32:40,102 Houthis might not recognize those as 879 00:32:40,102 --> 00:32:42,324 aid ships versus commercial ships going 880 00:32:42,324 --> 00:32:44,760 towards Israel . Ok . Thanks Heather 881 00:32:44,770 --> 00:32:46,714 for the question . I I , well , we 882 00:32:46,714 --> 00:32:48,770 candid , I missed a bit of the first 883 00:32:48,770 --> 00:32:50,659 part but um in terms of aid ships 884 00:32:50,659 --> 00:32:53,390 getting into to the Eastern Med and 885 00:32:53,400 --> 00:32:55,122 you're talking about aid being 886 00:32:55,122 --> 00:32:57,233 transported from the floating pier to 887 00:32:57,233 --> 00:32:59,189 the causeway . Um as we have said 888 00:32:59,199 --> 00:33:01,421 before , we have assurances from the ID 889 00:33:01,421 --> 00:33:03,643 F that they would be providing security 890 00:33:03,643 --> 00:33:07,170 around um around that transport . So 891 00:33:07,180 --> 00:33:10,599 whether it's uh uh any attacks from any 892 00:33:10,609 --> 00:33:13,849 group , um The ID F uh of course , will 893 00:33:13,859 --> 00:33:17,130 be providing that um security in terms 894 00:33:17,140 --> 00:33:19,140 of um And I I apologies . I , I did 895 00:33:19,140 --> 00:33:21,307 miss a little bit of the first part of 896 00:33:21,307 --> 00:33:23,251 your question . Um In terms of any 897 00:33:23,251 --> 00:33:25,349 posture changes um in the Red Sea , 898 00:33:25,609 --> 00:33:27,665 there are no posture changes again , 899 00:33:27,665 --> 00:33:29,989 operation , prosperity , Guardian . Um 900 00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:32,469 Is uh something that continues to work 901 00:33:32,479 --> 00:33:34,510 every single day in a coalition to 902 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:36,353 ensure the freedom of navigation 903 00:33:36,353 --> 00:33:38,353 through the Red Sea and the Gulf of 904 00:33:38,353 --> 00:33:40,489 Aden . Um I don't have any posture 905 00:33:40,500 --> 00:33:42,611 changes to announce today from , from 906 00:33:42,611 --> 00:33:44,556 the podium . Uh ok . And then last 907 00:33:44,556 --> 00:33:46,722 question from the phone , I'm happy to 908 00:33:46,722 --> 00:33:46,599 come back in the room . Uh Jeff Shool 909 00:33:46,790 --> 00:33:49,329 task and purpose . Thank you . I 910 00:33:49,339 --> 00:33:51,339 understand the army has launched an 911 00:33:51,339 --> 00:33:53,959 administrative investigation into staff 912 00:33:53,969 --> 00:33:57,239 Sergeant Black . Um I'm just um 913 00:33:57,329 --> 00:34:00,880 curious , does dod have any indications 914 00:34:00,890 --> 00:34:03,920 that he may have been lured to Russia 915 00:34:03,930 --> 00:34:06,119 as part of an effort by Russian 916 00:34:06,130 --> 00:34:09,029 intelligence to detain him . Jeff . I 917 00:34:09,039 --> 00:34:11,095 appreciate the question . Uh This is 918 00:34:11,095 --> 00:34:13,428 something that the army is looking into , 919 00:34:13,428 --> 00:34:15,261 which is why they've been , uh , 920 00:34:15,261 --> 00:34:17,317 they've launched an investigation to 921 00:34:17,317 --> 00:34:16,938 determine the facts and the 922 00:34:16,948 --> 00:34:19,115 circumstances of his travel and I just 923 00:34:19,115 --> 00:34:21,337 don't have anything more to add at this 924 00:34:21,337 --> 00:34:23,337 time . Uh Happy to come back in the 925 00:34:23,337 --> 00:34:25,504 room . Ok . We'll do two more show and 926 00:34:25,504 --> 00:34:27,559 three more media is showing pictures 927 00:34:27,559 --> 00:34:29,726 that General Carilla is in Egypt . Can 928 00:34:29,726 --> 00:34:31,948 you tell us what he's doing there ? And 929 00:34:31,948 --> 00:34:34,409 if he has any other uh schedule , I'd 930 00:34:34,419 --> 00:34:36,689 refer you to Sam for more details . Um 931 00:34:36,699 --> 00:34:39,080 I don't have more on his travel . He 932 00:34:39,090 --> 00:34:41,257 does you , you know , regularly travel 933 00:34:41,257 --> 00:34:43,479 to the region . I think he was there if 934 00:34:43,479 --> 00:34:45,646 not last week , the week before . Um , 935 00:34:45,646 --> 00:34:47,646 but I don't know his other schedule 936 00:34:47,646 --> 00:34:49,479 stops , but Sam would be able to 937 00:34:49,479 --> 00:34:49,250 provide that information , would be 938 00:34:49,290 --> 00:34:51,401 able to tell me if that's any part of 939 00:34:51,401 --> 00:34:53,457 uh Director Burns's travel to the to 940 00:34:53,457 --> 00:34:56,969 Egypt as well today . Not , not to my 941 00:34:56,979 --> 00:35:00,949 awareness . No . So my question 942 00:35:00,959 --> 00:35:03,229 about this Israeli invasion of , of 943 00:35:03,399 --> 00:35:05,732 Rafa , you said it's your understanding , 944 00:35:05,732 --> 00:35:07,843 this is a limited operation . It aims 945 00:35:07,843 --> 00:35:10,070 to or at uh cutting off Hamas 946 00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:12,149 capabilities or ability to smuggle 947 00:35:12,159 --> 00:35:15,530 weapons and money . Um However , the 948 00:35:15,540 --> 00:35:17,596 process of bringing humanitarian aid 949 00:35:17,596 --> 00:35:19,596 through Rafah is controlled by both 950 00:35:19,596 --> 00:35:22,439 Egypt and Israel and Israelis do screen 951 00:35:22,659 --> 00:35:24,992 uh shipments before they get into Rafah . 952 00:35:25,639 --> 00:35:29,300 Um Were you presented by any 953 00:35:29,510 --> 00:35:33,149 information from Israel that proves 954 00:35:33,159 --> 00:35:36,560 that still Hamas has the ability to 955 00:35:36,570 --> 00:35:38,909 smuggle weapons and money through Rafa 956 00:35:39,780 --> 00:35:42,429 so far is that international 957 00:35:42,439 --> 00:35:44,399 organizations including the U and 958 00:35:44,409 --> 00:35:46,840 Humanitarian and NGOS have been 959 00:35:46,850 --> 00:35:49,739 complaining about Israel 960 00:35:50,239 --> 00:35:53,379 measures that are delaying the entry of 961 00:35:53,389 --> 00:35:56,149 humanitarian aid to through screening 962 00:35:56,159 --> 00:35:58,370 and other steps . I think we've also 963 00:35:58,379 --> 00:36:00,212 been very public in our , in our 964 00:36:00,212 --> 00:36:03,879 process to control them . Let me just 965 00:36:04,050 --> 00:36:07,439 finish . So , so we've been very public 966 00:36:07,449 --> 00:36:10,129 and called from this podium from other 967 00:36:10,139 --> 00:36:13,719 podiums across you know , the inner 968 00:36:13,729 --> 00:36:15,507 agency that we want to see more 969 00:36:15,507 --> 00:36:19,469 humanitarian aid get into Gaza . Um It 970 00:36:19,479 --> 00:36:22,250 was directed by the president , um that 971 00:36:22,260 --> 00:36:24,479 we set up a maritime corridor to surge 972 00:36:24,489 --> 00:36:26,822 aid in because not enough is getting in . 973 00:36:26,822 --> 00:36:28,989 So we also are concerned with how much 974 00:36:28,989 --> 00:36:31,439 aid is getting in to Gaza . And that's 975 00:36:31,449 --> 00:36:33,560 also why you've seen Centcom take the 976 00:36:33,560 --> 00:36:35,560 measures that they have to do these 977 00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:38,810 airdrops . Um So I , I just , I 978 00:36:38,820 --> 00:36:40,820 appreciate the question but I think 979 00:36:40,820 --> 00:36:42,919 also you have to remember that this 980 00:36:42,929 --> 00:36:44,873 government has been calling for it 981 00:36:44,873 --> 00:36:48,100 repeatedly . We want to see more um to 982 00:36:48,110 --> 00:36:50,889 your question on Hamas and being able 983 00:36:50,899 --> 00:36:53,580 to smuggle weapons . Um 984 00:36:54,889 --> 00:36:57,000 Unfortunately , I just can't speak to 985 00:36:57,000 --> 00:36:59,111 the intelligence on that . But what I 986 00:36:59,111 --> 00:37:01,222 can tell you is that we're continuing 987 00:37:01,222 --> 00:37:03,500 to monitor the situation on the ground . 988 00:37:03,500 --> 00:37:06,050 We've been very clear about um any type 989 00:37:06,060 --> 00:37:08,116 of large scale incursion in Tarafa . 990 00:37:08,116 --> 00:37:10,300 And we know we know how large that 991 00:37:10,310 --> 00:37:12,469 population is down there and we know 992 00:37:12,479 --> 00:37:14,757 how dire the humanitarian situation is . 993 00:37:14,757 --> 00:37:16,989 So we do not want to see a large scale 994 00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:20,100 ground incursion in Tarafa . Um Again , 995 00:37:20,110 --> 00:37:22,054 we're continuing to monitor what's 996 00:37:22,054 --> 00:37:24,054 happening on the ground . This just 997 00:37:24,054 --> 00:37:26,054 happened earlier , you know , early 998 00:37:26,054 --> 00:37:28,277 hours this morning . Um So I just don't 999 00:37:28,277 --> 00:37:30,554 have more , more to share at this time . 1000 00:37:30,554 --> 00:37:32,499 So I , I understand and , and your 1001 00:37:32,499 --> 00:37:34,610 point is well taken , I'm not talking 1002 00:37:34,610 --> 00:37:36,832 about the US government effort to bring 1003 00:37:36,832 --> 00:37:39,290 in more uh aid or uh complaining about . 1004 00:37:40,270 --> 00:37:42,820 But this shows the contradiction which 1005 00:37:42,830 --> 00:37:46,070 is to say Israel is in control of what 1006 00:37:46,080 --> 00:37:48,860 flows or does not flow into Gaza 1007 00:37:48,870 --> 00:37:51,139 without controlling Rafah where they 1008 00:37:51,149 --> 00:37:53,482 actually had that incursion or invasion ? 1009 00:37:53,790 --> 00:37:56,719 So are you taking what the Israelis are 1010 00:37:56,729 --> 00:37:59,449 providing you at face value in terms of 1011 00:37:59,459 --> 00:38:01,929 the aim of this operation is to cut off 1012 00:38:01,939 --> 00:38:04,560 their ability to smuggle weapons and 1013 00:38:04,570 --> 00:38:06,792 money or are you going to actually look 1014 00:38:06,792 --> 00:38:08,792 into those allegations ? We believe 1015 00:38:08,792 --> 00:38:10,848 what they are saying that this was a 1016 00:38:10,848 --> 00:38:12,903 limited operation that it was to cut 1017 00:38:12,903 --> 00:38:16,330 off the movement the traffic of 1018 00:38:16,340 --> 00:38:19,080 weapons into Gaza through the Rafah 1019 00:38:19,090 --> 00:38:21,201 crossing . But again , it's something 1020 00:38:21,201 --> 00:38:23,423 that we're going to continue to monitor 1021 00:38:23,423 --> 00:38:25,534 this just happened um , earlier , you 1022 00:38:25,534 --> 00:38:27,757 know , a few hours ago . So , uh let us 1023 00:38:27,757 --> 00:38:29,979 continue to monitor what's happening on 1024 00:38:29,979 --> 00:38:32,090 the ground . Aaron last question with 1025 00:38:32,090 --> 00:38:33,923 Israel , you keep using the word 1026 00:38:33,923 --> 00:38:36,459 ironclad , but now how , how is it such 1027 00:38:36,469 --> 00:38:39,479 an ironclad relationship when we have , 1028 00:38:39,489 --> 00:38:42,250 um , we're expected to delay the 1029 00:38:42,260 --> 00:38:44,879 shipment of munitions there . So what 1030 00:38:44,889 --> 00:38:46,889 makes it so ironclad now that we're 1031 00:38:46,889 --> 00:38:49,209 delaying shipments ? Well , what makes 1032 00:38:49,219 --> 00:38:51,552 it ironclad ? Erin is since October 7th ? 1033 00:38:51,552 --> 00:38:53,552 You've seen this government surge , 1034 00:38:53,552 --> 00:38:55,719 humanitarian , security assistance and 1035 00:38:55,719 --> 00:38:58,550 humanitarian support to Israel . Um So , 1036 00:38:59,149 --> 00:39:01,399 so let me , let me just finish . So 1037 00:39:01,979 --> 00:39:03,923 you've seen us continue to support 1038 00:39:03,923 --> 00:39:06,090 Israel . I don't need to remind you of 1039 00:39:06,090 --> 00:39:08,146 the attack that happened a few weeks 1040 00:39:08,146 --> 00:39:10,312 ago . Um on Israel from Iran where the 1041 00:39:10,312 --> 00:39:12,320 US partnered with Israel and other 1042 00:39:12,330 --> 00:39:14,989 coalition forces to defeat that attack . 1043 00:39:15,149 --> 00:39:17,830 Um Again , I don't have a comment on 1044 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:20,007 specific cases or shipments . But what 1045 00:39:20,007 --> 00:39:22,118 I can tell you is through our actions 1046 00:39:22,118 --> 00:39:24,062 and through what you've seen since 1047 00:39:24,062 --> 00:39:26,229 October 7th , that's what we mean when 1048 00:39:26,229 --> 00:39:28,284 our commitment to Israel is ironclad 1049 00:39:28,284 --> 00:39:30,284 because we continue to stand by our 1050 00:39:30,284 --> 00:39:32,507 partner and ally in their fight against 1051 00:39:32,507 --> 00:39:34,673 a terrorist organization who continues 1052 00:39:34,673 --> 00:39:36,896 to use civilians as human shields . But 1053 00:39:36,896 --> 00:39:38,979 we also have hard conversations with 1054 00:39:38,989 --> 00:39:40,767 our friends and that's what you 1055 00:39:40,767 --> 00:39:42,989 continue to see the secretary do at his 1056 00:39:42,989 --> 00:39:45,489 level and others across this um across 1057 00:39:45,500 --> 00:39:47,919 the inter agency do as well . So 1058 00:39:47,929 --> 00:39:50,649 yesterday morning , uh with general 1059 00:39:50,659 --> 00:39:52,881 writer , he said that we had not seen a 1060 00:39:52,881 --> 00:39:56,340 detailed plan about Rafa , um was , had 1061 00:39:56,350 --> 00:39:59,250 we seen any plan prior to them uh 1062 00:39:59,260 --> 00:40:01,689 entering Rafa ? Well , as I mentioned , 1063 00:40:01,699 --> 00:40:03,588 and a few weeks ago , there was a 1064 00:40:03,588 --> 00:40:05,588 delegation that was here that , you 1065 00:40:05,588 --> 00:40:07,532 know , briefed us broadly on their 1066 00:40:07,532 --> 00:40:10,209 plans for Rafa . Um We have continued 1067 00:40:10,219 --> 00:40:13,550 to engage um uh the Israelis and I 1068 00:40:13,560 --> 00:40:15,782 think there was a read out at that time 1069 00:40:15,782 --> 00:40:17,893 from the White House on some of those 1070 00:40:17,893 --> 00:40:19,782 meetings . Um We're continuing to 1071 00:40:19,782 --> 00:40:21,782 engage our Israeli counterparts . I 1072 00:40:21,782 --> 00:40:23,949 just don't have more to share on their 1073 00:40:23,949 --> 00:40:26,560 plans , not the delegation , but 1074 00:40:26,570 --> 00:40:29,020 yesterday before they entered , did we 1075 00:40:29,030 --> 00:40:31,141 know that they were going to go , had 1076 00:40:31,149 --> 00:40:33,399 they talked to Secretary Austin prior 1077 00:40:33,409 --> 00:40:35,576 to entering a couple of hours before ? 1078 00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:37,544 Yeah , I think I answered that , I 1079 00:40:37,544 --> 00:40:39,767 think or , and answered , uh asked that 1080 00:40:39,767 --> 00:40:41,989 question , look , I'm just not going to 1081 00:40:41,989 --> 00:40:41,439 get into private , more details on the 1082 00:40:41,449 --> 00:40:43,282 private conversations between uh 1083 00:40:43,282 --> 00:40:45,505 Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant . 1084 00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:48,219 Um Those conversations do happen often . 1085 00:40:48,229 --> 00:40:50,340 They're frank , they're very direct . 1086 00:40:50,370 --> 00:40:52,370 Um And I'll just leave it at that . 1087 00:40:52,580 --> 00:40:54,802 They're listening to Secretary Austin . 1088 00:40:54,802 --> 00:40:56,913 I do , I do actually think that and , 1089 00:40:56,913 --> 00:40:59,439 and the reason why is because since the 1090 00:40:59,449 --> 00:41:02,050 beginning , we have seen the Israelis , 1091 00:41:02,060 --> 00:41:05,449 the ID F make decisions that have been 1092 00:41:05,459 --> 00:41:06,959 influenced and impacted by 1093 00:41:06,959 --> 00:41:09,015 conversations with the secretary and 1094 00:41:09,015 --> 00:41:11,181 other people across this um department 1095 00:41:11,181 --> 00:41:13,403 and the agent , the interagency . Um So 1096 00:41:13,403 --> 00:41:15,126 yes , we do feel like they are 1097 00:41:15,126 --> 00:41:16,040 listening . Ok , thanks everyone .