US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin meets Israeli PM, Netanyahu calls Hamas worse than ISIS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday thanked US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for the United States’ support to the country in its war against terrorist group Hamas, saying the world must unite to help Israel fight Hamas. . Netanyahu told Austin that Hamas is ISIS. Hamas is worse than ISIS. Just as the entire civilized world has come together to fight ISIS, the world must come together to help us fight Hamas.

I know you stand with us. The solidarity visit to Israel on Friday comes a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the war-torn country. Meanwhile, Austin reaffirmed US support for Netanyahu, saying the US stands with Israel. Prime Minister Austin told Netanyahu that as the President said, we are with you. We stand with you. Austin met with Netanyahu and spent about two hours with Defense Minister Yoav Galant and the Israeli War Cabinet.

Asked about the possibility of civilian casualties in Gaza, Austin said Israel has the right to defend itself and noted that he has served with Israeli forces for years, including when he was in the army. They are professional, they are disciplined and they are focused on the right things, he told reporters after a nearly two-hour meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Galant and the Israeli War Cabinet.