WASHINGTON, December 29. /TASS/. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a phone call to discuss "preparations for the stabilization phase" in Gaza, Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder said.

According to him, Austin and Gallant discussed "Israel's military campaign in Gaza and preparations for the stabilization phase that will follow major combat operations." The Pentagon chief "reiterated US resolve to ensure [the Palestinian movement] Hamas can no longer threaten Israel's security and underscored the importance of protecting Gaza's civilians and accelerating humanitarian assistance."

Ryder added that Austin and Gallant "also discussed threats to regional security, including Hezbollah destabilizing activities in southern Lebanon, Iran-aligned militia attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria, and Houthi assaults against international commerce in the Red Sea."

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking about 200 people, including women, children and the elderly, hostage. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out retaliatory strikes on targets in the Strip, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.