Israeli Airstrike WIPED OUT Major General of Hamas in
Hidden Tunnel Base! Hamas GOT STUCK in Tunnels

Israeli Airstrike WIPED OUT Major General of Hamas in Hidden Tunnel Base! Hamas GOT STUCK in Tunnels

The latest developments and special reports on the war in Israel

Middle East Israel continues its fight against Hamas centered on the Gaza Strip

in the southwest of the city from Alara to nerat camp and from there to the

border crossing between conun and RAF.

The idf's Drone army with the support of the Air Force identified the top Hamas headquarters in shik radwan.  

The IDF drones destroyed the Hamas base there with a payload of 450 kg after the Drone strike.  it was revealed that there was a tunnel.

Line running underneath the so-called headquarters in shik radwan however the

IDF discovered the connection routes and entry and exit points of this tunnel line during the offensive operation and destroyed these iCal centers with IEDs loaded with explosives after the violent explosions.  The IDF announced that Jihad Muheisen hamas's so-called Major General had been killed while fleeing through the tunnel lines he is the highest ranking figure the Israeli Army has killed so far Jihad Muheisen was allegedly one of the main players in planning attacks against Israeli civilians and

was responsible for the situation of hostages held by Hamas however the latest IDF drone strikes have eliminated both the shik radwan Hamas headquarters in Northern Gaza and Jihad Muheisen hamas's alleged top Commander.   

See more details by Youtube: Israeli Airstrike WIPED OUT Major General of Hamas in Hidden Tunnel Base! Hamas GOT STUCK in Tunnels

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OCTOBER 20, 2023

FACT SHEET: White House Calls on Congress to Advance Critical
National Security Priorities

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
 

Today, the President is requesting supplemental funding from Congress that advances our national security and supports our allies and partners. Since the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas, President Biden has surged security, intelligence, and diplomatic support to the people of Israel. This supplemental request will continue to provide the necessary security assistance to Israel, support Israeli efforts to secure the release of hostages, and extend humanitarian assistance to civilians impacted by the war in Israel and in Gaza.

The United States’ support to Israel comes at the same time that Vladimir Putin’s illegal war against the people of Ukraine passes its 600th day. The actions of the Biden-Harris Administration have enabled the people of Ukraine to defend their nation against a brutal and unprovoked invasion and recapture territory seized by Russian forces, liberating Ukrainian civilians from Russian occupation. The Administration’s supplemental request will provide the critical training, equipment, and weapons necessary to help Ukraine defend and recapture its sovereign territory and protect the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.

The Administration’s supplemental invests in our military industrial base to ensure our military readiness, including replenishing resources to meet our defense needs as we support Israel and Ukraine, as well as the growing security requirements in the Indo-Pacific. Resources for the American defense industrial base will support American jobs, increase our nation’s ability to produce critically important munitions and other equipment, and ensure our Military continues to be the most ready, capable, and best equipped fighting force the world has ever seen. The Administration’s supplemental also requests increased support to allies and partners in our strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It will mobilize hundreds of billions from international finance institutions to provide a sustainable source of financing to developing countries as an alternative to the coercive lending practices of the PRC.

Additionally, we’ve been clear that the Congressional Republicans need to stop playing political games with border security and provide the resources our law enforcement personnel need to secure the southwest border and stop the flow of fentanyl into our country. President Biden continues to implement a regional migration strategy focused on enforcement, deterrence, and diplomacy. While progress has been made, President Biden has made clear that we need more funding to enhance our enforcement measures.

To advance our critical national security interests, the Biden-Harris Administration is calling on Congress to provide additional national security resources that will:

Support Israel’s Defense Against Terrorism

Immediately following the brutal October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, President Biden directed his Administration to take swift and decisive action to ensure the government of Israel has everything it needs to defend itself consistent with the rule of law and the law of war. To build on that support, today the Administration is requesting funding to aid Israel’s defense against these horrific terrorist attacks. This request includes funds to:

Strengthen Israel’s defense from vicious terrorist attacks and bolster the Israeli Defense Forces through Department of Defense (DOD) assistance.

Ensure Israel’s air and missile defense systems’ readiness with support for the Government of Israel’s procurement of Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems and components, and development of Iron Beam.

Replenish DOD stocks that are being drawn down to support Israel in its time of need.

Strengthen Israel’s military and enhance U.S. embassy security with foreign military financing from the Department of State.

Defend Ukraine Against Russian Aggression

Previous supplemental appropriations for direct military aid, economic and humanitarian assistance, and other support for Ukraine have been committed or nearly committed. As Ukrainians wage a tough counteroffensive and as winter approaches, the world is watching what Congress does next. The Administration’s request will provide funding for:

Additional weapons and equipment to help Ukraine succeed on the battlefield and protect its people against Russian attacks, as well as replenish DOD stocks provided to Ukraine via Presidential drawdown authority. The weapons and equipment the United States has provided to date include air defense systems, munitions, small arms, ground maneuver units, and other key capabilities that have made a significant difference on the battlefield, helping Ukraine save countless lives and win the battles for Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson.

Continued military, intelligence, and other defense support, including robust investments in the defense industrial base, transportation costs of U.S. personnel and equipment, and continuing an enhanced U.S. troop presence in Europe among other critical support activities, in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Critical economic and civilian security assistance, including direct budget support to help Ukraine continue to provide critical services to its people and sustain its economy while under attack; assistance for investments in critical infrastructure; support for civilian law enforcement; and assistance for demining in territory recently liberated from Russian occupation.

Support for Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s war and provided safety and shelter in the United States through Uniting for Ukraine.

Nuclear and radiological crisis management, response, and partner capacity building in case of emergencies as part of our general contingency planning.

Provide Life-Saving Humanitarian Assistance

In addition to funding for security assistance for Ukraine and Israel, we are also requesting funding to address humanitarian needs of innocent civilians, including those impacted by the war in Israel and in Gaza. Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine also continues to have a global impact, particularly on food security, given Ukraine’s role as the leading grain producer in the world, and this humanitarian assistance will address global needs. Our humanitarian assistance is critical to demonstrating U.S. leadership amid unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, geopolitical competition, and global challenges. This request includes funds to:

Provide life-saving humanitarian assistance and support for innocent civilians devastated by Putin’s unjust war in Ukraine, Hamas’ attack on Israel, and the numerous other natural and man-made crises around the world. This includes life-saving humanitarian assistance in Gaza and support for Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and surrounding areas

Strengthen Security in the Indo-Pacific

It is critically important that we not lose our focus on the importance of integrated deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Our allies and partners in the region need our support more than ever, and this request provides resources to help them build the capabilities necessary to meet emerging challenges. This request will provide funding for:

Security assistance for capacity building to address ongoing and emerging threats to critical allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. This funding will bolster deterrence and support key allies and partners as they face an increasingly assertive PRC, and will support partners transitioning off of Russian military equipment.

The United States’ Submarine Industrial Base, through improvements and infrastructure work at the Navy’s four public shipyards and increasing production rates and submarine availability through initiatives in supplier development, shipbuilder and supplier infrastructure, workforce development, technology advancements, government oversight, and strategic sourcing. This funding will accelerate build and sustainment rates for attack submarines, one of our most effective capabilities for maintaining deterrence, in order to meet U.S. military requirements.  

AUKUS. While this funding for our submarine industrial base is necessary to meet U.S. national needs, these investments will also support U.S. commitments under AUKUS – our trilateral security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom – the first major deliverable of which was our historic decision to support Australia acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Australia has also committed to provide a proportionate financial investment in the U.S. submarine industrial base to accelerate the delivery of Virginia class submarines.

Ensure Military Readiness

As we support our partners in Israel, Ukraine, and across the Indo-Pacific, the Administration’s request –including the items described above – provides funding to ensure American military readiness by investing over $50 billionin the American defense industrial base with through replenishment funding and other forms of security assistance, like foreign military financing and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Resources for the American defense industrial base will support American jobs, increase our nation’s ability to produce critically important munitions and other equipment, and ensure our Military continues to be the most ready, capable, and best equipped fighting force the world has ever seen. Without additional replenishment funding, DOD will be unable to continue to backfill the Military Services for equipment provided via drawdown to Ukraine and Israel, thereby degrading U.S. readiness.

Provide Alternatives to Coercive PRC Financing in Developing Countries

To provide a credible alternative to the People’s Republic of China’s coercive and unsustainable financing for developing countries around the world, the Administration’s request will advance high-leverage solutions through the international financial institutions. This historic U.S. action will support the mobilization of $200 billion of new financing for developing countries backed by our partners and allies. The requested funding will:

Materially expand development finance to the countries hard hit by the spillovers of Russia’s war through funding for the World Bank.

Unlock up to $21 billion in new transparent lending with no additional appropriations through the authorization to lend to two International Monetary Fund (IMF) trust funds.

Additionally, we are seeking authorization to ensure the IMF can respond quickly to future global financial shocks and restore stability to both economies and markets, minimizing negative spillovers that could affect the U.S. economy, by providing the authority to extend our participation in the IMF’s New Arrangements to Borrow mechanism.

Strengthen Border Security and Enforcement

The Administration is asking Congress to provide the resources our law enforcement personnel need to secure the southwest border and stop the flow of fentanyl into our country. President Biden continues to implement a regional migration strategy focused on enforcement, diplomacy, and legal pathways and work authorization. The plan has resulted in the largest expansion of legal pathways in decades, increased the number of law enforcement personnel along the border and expedited removals of unlawful crossings thanks to historic diplomatic agreements. Despite the progress made, President Biden has made clear that we need more funding to execute on our three-part strategy, including enhancing our enforcement measures. The requested funding supports:

An additional 1,300 border patrol agents to work alongside the 20,200 agents already funded in the FY2024 Budget.

Funding to deploy over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect fentanyl at our southwest border ports of entry.

Additional 1,000 law enforcement personnel and investigative capabilities to prevent cartels from moving fentanyl into the country.

1,600 additional asylum officers to increase by 2.5 times the number of personnel that interview and adjudicate claims for asylum and facilitate timely decisions so that those who are ineligible can be quickly removed and those with valid claims can have faster resolution.

375 new immigration judge teams, the largest incremental request ever, to adjudicate and process immigration cases more quickly and help reduce the caseload backlog.

Additional grants to local governments and non-profits to support the provision of for temporary food, shelter, and other services for those recently released from DHS custody.

Critical border management activities, including additional temporary holding facilities and detention beds for fair and fast processing for recent arrivals.

Expansion of lawful pathways, including efforts to streamline the processing of eligible refugees and migrants through the Safe Mobility Offices Initiative.

Support for eligible arrivals, including services to successfully resettle in the United States and become self-sufficient.

Funding to conduct robust child labor investigations and enforcement, particularly to protect vulnerable migrant children entering the United States through the southern border.

Reimbursement to the Department of Defense for its support provided along the southwest border in FY 2024.

Finally, our nation faces additional urgent needs for millions of hard-working Americans. In coming days, the Administration will also submit a request for supplemental funds to address recent natural disasters, avoid the risk that millions of Americans lose access to affordable high-speed internet or child care, provide additional resources for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and avert a funding cliff for wildland firefighter pay. Congress should also address critical funding needs the Administration communicated earlier this fall, including to protect critical nutrition assistance for millions of pregnant women, infants, and children through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

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OCTOBER 20, 2023

Remarks by President Biden on the Unites States’ Response to
Hamas’s Terrorist Attacks Against Israel and
Russia’s Ongoing Brutal War Against Ukraine

 

8:02 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, my fellow Americans.  We’re facing an inflection point in history — one of those moments where the decisions we make today are going to determine the future for decades to come.  That’s what I’d like to talk with you about tonight.

You know, earlier this morning, I returned from Israel.   They tell me I’m the first American president to travel there during a war.

I met with the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet.  And most movingly, I met with Israelis who had personally lived through horrific horror of the attack by Hamas on the 7th of October.

More than 1,300 people slaughtered in Israel, including at least 32 American citizens.  Scores of innocents — from infants to elderly grandparents, Israelis, Americans — taken hostage.  

As I told the families of Americans being held captive by Hamas, we’re pursuing every avenue to bring their loved ones home.  As President, there is no higher priority for me than the safety of Americans held hostage.

The terrorist group Hamas unleashed pure, unadulterated evil in the world.  But sadly, the Jewish people know, perhaps better than anyone, that there is no limit to the depravity of people when they want to inflict pain on others.  

In Israel, I saw a people who are strong, determined, resilient, and also angry, in shock, and in deep, deep pain.

I also spoke with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and reiterated that the United States remains committed to the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and to self-determination.  The actions of Hamas terrorists don’t take that right away.  

Like so many other, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Palestinian life, including the explosion at a hospital in Gaza — which was not done by the Israelis.

We mourn every innocent life lost.  We can’t ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have an opportunity.

You know, the assault on Israel echoes nearly 20 months of war, tragedy, and brutality inflicted on the people of Ukraine — people that were very badly hurt since Putin launched his all-out invasion.  

We’ve have not forgotten the mass graves, the bodies found bearing signs of torture, rape used as a weapon by the Russians, and thousands and thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly taken into Russia, stolen from their parents.  It’s sick.

Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy — completely annihilate it.

Hamas — its stated purpose for existing is the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of Jewish people.

Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.  Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields, and innocent Palestinian families are suffering greatly because of them.

Meanwhile, Putin denies Ukraine has or ever had real statehood.  He claims the Soviet Union created Ukraine.   And just two weeks ago, he told the world that if the United States and our allies withdraw — and if the United States withdraw, our allies will as well — military support for Ukraine, it would have, quote, “a week left to live.”  But we’re not withdrawing.

I know these conflicts can seem far away.  And it’s natural to ask: Why does this matter to America?

So let me share with you why making sure Israel and Ukraine succeed is vital for America’s national security.  You know, history has taught us that when terrorists don’t pay a price for their terror, when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction.  They keep going, and the cost and the threats to America and to the world keep rising.

So, if we don’t stop Putin’s appetite for power and control in Ukraine, he won’t limit himself just to Ukraine.  He’s — Putin has already threated to “remind” — quote, “remind” Poland that their western land was a gift from Russia.

One of his top advisors, a former president of Russia, has called Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania Russia’s “Baltic provinces.”  These are all NATO Allies.  

For 75 years, NATO has kept peace in Europe and has been the cornerstone of American security.  And if Putin attacks a NATO Ally, we will defend every inch of NATO which the treaty requires and calls for.

We will have something that we do not seek — make it clear: we do not seek — we do not seek to have American troops fighting in Russia or fighting against Russia.

Beyond Europe, we know that our allies and, maybe most importantly, our adversaries and competitors are watching.  They’re watching our response in Ukraine as well.

And if we walk away and let Putin erase Ukraine’s independence, would-be aggressors around the world would be emboldened to try the same.  The risk of conflict and chaos could spread in other parts of the world — in the Indo-Pacific, in the Middle East — especially in the Middle East.

Iran is — is supporting Russia’s U- — in Ukraine, and it’s supporting Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region.  And we’ll continue to hold them accountable, I might add.

The United States and our partners across the region are working to build a better future for the Middle East, one where the Middle East is more stable, better connected to its neighbors, and — through innovative projects like the India-Middle East-Europe rail corridor that I announced this year at the summit of the world’s biggest economies.  More predictable markets, more employment, less rage, less grievances, less war when connected.  It benefits the people — it would benefit the people of the Middle East, and it would benefit us.

American leadership is what holds the world together.  American alliances are what keep us, America, safe.  American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with.  To put all that at risk if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel, it’s just not worth it.

That’s why, tomorrow, I’m going to send to Congress an urgent budget request to fund America’s national security needs, to support our critical partners, including Israel and Ukraine.

It’s a smart investment that’s going to pay dividends for American security for generations, help us keep American troops out of harm’s way, help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren.

In Israel, we must make sure that they have what they need to protect their people today and always.

The security package I’m sending to Congress and asking Congress to do is an unprecedented commitment to Israel’s security that will sharpen Israel’s qualitative military edge, which we’ve committed to — the qualitative military edge.

We’re going to make sure Iron Dome continues to guard the skies over Israel.  We’re going to make sure other hostile actors in the region know that Israel is stronger than ever and prevent this conflict from spreading.

Look, at the same time, President [Prime Minister] Netanyahu and I discussed again yesterday the critical need for Israel to operate by the laws of war.  That means protecting civilians in combat as best as they can.  The people of Gaza urgently need food, water, and medicine.

Yesterday, in discussions with the leaders of Israel and Egypt, I secured an agreement for the first shipment of humanitarian assistance from the United Nations to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

If Hamas does not divert or steal this shipment — these shipments, we’re going to provide an opening for sustained delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians.

And as I said in Israel: As hard as it is, we cannot give up on peace.  We cannot give up on a two-state solution.

Israel and Palestinians equally deserve to live in safety, dignity, and peace.

You know, and here at home, we have to be honest with ourselves.  In recent years, too much hate has been given too much oxygen, fueling racism, a rise in antisemitism and Islamicphobia [Islamophobia] right here in America.

It’s also intensified in the wake of recent events that led to the horrific threats and attacks that both shock us and break our hearts.

On October 7th, terror attacks have triggered deep scars and terrible memories in the Jewish community.

Today, Jewish families worried about being targeted in school, wearing symbols of their faith walking down the street, or going out about their daily lives.

You know, I know many of you in the Muslim American community or the Arab American community, the Palestinian American community, and so many others are outraged and hurting, saying to yourselves, “Here we go again,” with Islamophobia and distrust we saw after 9/11.

Just last week, a mother was brutally stabbed, a little boy — here in the United States — a little boy who had just turned six years old was murdered in their home outside of Chicago.

His name was Wadea — Wadea — a proud American, a proud Palestinian American family.

We can’t stand by and stand silent when this happens.  We must, without equivocation, denounce antisemitism.  We must also, without equivocation, denounce Islamophobia.

And to all of you hurting — those of you who are hurting, I want you to know: I see you.  You belong.  And I want to say this to you: You’re all America.  You’re all America.

This is in a moment where there’s — you know, in moments like these, when fear and suspicion, anger and rage run hard, that we have to work harder than ever to hold on to the values that make us who we are.

We’re a nation of religious freedom, freedom of expression.  We all have a right to debate and disagree without fear of being targeted at schools or workplaces or in our communities.

And we must renounce violence and vitriol, see each other not as enemies but as — but as fellow Americans.

When I was in Israel yesterday, I said that when America experienced the hell of 9/11, we felt enraged as well.  While we sought and got justice, we made mistakes.  So, I cautioned the government of Israel not to be blinded by rage.

And here in America, let us not forget who we are.  We reject all forms — all forms of hate, whether against Muslims, Jews, or anyone.  That’s what great nations do, and we are great nation.

On Ukraine, I’m asking Congress to make sure we can continue to send Ukraine the weapons they need to defend themselves and their country without interruption so Ukraine can stop Putin’s brutality in Ukraine.

They are succeeding.

When Putin invaded Ukraine, he thought he would take Kyiv and all of Ukraine in a matter of days.  Well, over a year later, Putin has failed, and he continues to fail.  Kyiv still stands because of the bravery of the Ukrainian people.

Ukraine has regained more than 50 percent of the territory

Russian troops once occupied, backed by a U.S.-led coalition of more than 50 countries around the world all doing its part to support Kyiv.

What would happen if we walked away?  We are the essential nation.

Meanwhile, Putin has turned to Iran and North Korea to buy attack drones and ammunition to terrorize Ukrainian cities and people.

From the outset, I have said I will not send American troops to fight in Ukraine.

All Ukraine is asking for is help — for the weapons, munitions, the capacity, the capability to push invading Russian forces off their land, and the air defense systems to shoot down Russian missiles before they destroy Ukrainian cities.

And let me be clear about something: We send Ukraine equipment sitting in our stockpiles.  And when we use the money allocated by Congress, we use it to replenish our own stores — our own stockpiles with new equipment — equipment that defe- — that defends America and is made in America: Patriot missiles for air defense batteries made in Arizona; artillery shells manufactured in 12 states across the country — in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas; and so much more.

You know, just as in World War Two, today, patriotic American workers are building the arsenal of democracy and serving the cause of freedom.

Let me close with this.  Earlier this year, I boarded Air Force One for a secret flight to Poland.  There, I boarded a train with blacked-out windows for a 10-hour ride each way to Kyiv to stand with the people of Ukraine ahead of the one-year anniversary of their brave fight against Putin.

I’m told I was the first American [president] to enter a warzone not controlled by the United States military since President Lincoln.

With me was just a small group of security personnel and a few advisors.

But when I exited that train and met Zelenskyy — President Zelenskyy, I didn’t feel alone.  I was bringing with me

the idea of America, the promise of America to the people who are today fighting for the same things we fought for 250 years ago: freedom, independence, self-determination.

And as I walked through Kyiv with President Zelenskyy, with air raid sirens sounding in the distance, I felt something I’ve always believed more strongly than ever before: America is a beacon to the world still.  Still.

We are, as my friend Madeleine Albright said, “the indispensable nation.”

Tonight, there are innocent people all over the world who hope because of us, who believe in a better life because of us, who are desperate not be forgotten be- — by us, and who are waiting for us.

But time is of the essence.

I know we have our divisions at home.  We have to get past them.  We can’t let petty, partisan, angry politics get in the way of our responsibilities as a great nation.

We cannot and will not let terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin win.  I refuse to let that happen.

In moments like these, we have to remind — we have to remember who we are.  We are the United States of America — the United States of America.  And there is nothing — nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.

My fellow Americans, thank you for your time.

May God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

8:17 P.M. EDT

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_________________________________

U.S. Department of Defense

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an
On-Camera Press Briefing

Oct. 19, 2023

BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right. Well, good afternoon everyone. And thank you very much for your patience.

We do have quite a bit to cover today so thank you in advance.

Well, I'll go through some detailed information here. First of all, let me address the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the Department of Defense response. And then I'll discuss the reports of drone attacks against U.S. facilities in Iraq and Syria.

As you are all aware, Secretary Austin, recently directed several steps to strengthen DOD Posture in the region, to bolster regional deterrence efforts, to include deploying the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean along with the USS Eisenhower currently underway and enroute.

Additionally, we are also enhancing our Fighter Aircraft presence in the Central Command region to provide additional capabilities.

By posturing these U.S. Naval assets and Advanced Fighter Aircraft in the region we aim to send a strong message intended to deter a wider conflict to bolster regional stability and of course to make it clear that we will protect and defend our national security interests.

To that end the crew of the Guided Missile Destroyer, USS Carney, operating in the Northern Red Sea earlier today, shot down three land-attack cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by Houthi forces in Yemen. This action was a demonstration of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Architecture that we have built in the Middle East and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interests in this important region.

There were no casualties to U.S. Forces and none that we know of to any civilians on the ground. Information about these engagements is still being processed and we cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting but they were launched from Yemen, heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel.

Our defensive response was one that we would have taken for any similar threat in the region, where we're able to do so against our interest, personnel, going to and our partners. This attack may be ongoing so if we have more information to share we will.

But again, as the Secretary has made clear, we have the capability to defend our broader interests in the region and to deter regional escalation, Israelis and broader expansion of the conflict that began with Hamas's attack on Israeli civilians on October 7th. The crew of the Carney did just that. And across the Force we will remain vigilant to any other potential threats.

And while I'm on the topic of threats let me provide an update on the reports of several drone attacks against U.S. facilities in Iraq and Syria.

Early yesterday morning Syria time, October 18th, At-Tanf garrison in Syria was targeted by two drones. U.S. and Coalition Forces engaged one drone, destroying it while the other drone impacted the base resulting in minor injuries to Coalition Forces.

Also the same morning in Iraq early warning systems indicated a possible threat approaching the airbase at Al Assad, and base personnel sheltered in place as a protective measure. Though no attack occurred sadly a U.S. civilian contractor suffered a cardiac episode while sheltering and passed away shortly thereafter. And our deepest sympathies and condolences are with the loved one — loved ones of the individual who passed away.

And as you know, the day before on October 17th, U.S. Military Forces defended against three drones near U.S. and Coalition Forces in Iraq. In western Iraq at Al Asad Air Base, U.S. Forces engaged two drones destroying one and damaging the second resulting in minor injuries to Coalition Forces.

Separately in northern Iraq, U.S. Forces engaged and destroyed a drone near Bashur Air Base resulting in no injuries or damage.

And while I'm not going to forecast any potential response to these attacks I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend U.S. and Coalition Forces against any threat. Any response should one occur will come at a time in a manner of our choosing.

Now in light of all of this activity, Secretary Austin continues to actively engage with his counterparts and leaders within the Middle East. Today he conducted a series of calls which included discussions with His Highness, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, of the United Arab Emirates; Amir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar; and Saudi Arabia, Minister of Defense, Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.

Secretary Austin also spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Galant just a few moments ago. During these calls he reiterated U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself from terrorist attacks, and also underscored the importance of safeguarding innocent civilians both Palestinian and Israeli. He emphasized again that any country or any group thinking about trying to take advantage of the situation in Israel, to try to widen the conflict should think twice and not doubt the resolve of the United States.

It is our aim to avoid any regional expansion of Israel's conflict with Hamas. But we stand ready and prepared to protect and defend our partners and our interests. And we will act to do so.

Readouts of these calls will be posted to the DOD website later today.

And with respect to U.S. support to Israel, the first shipments of military aid, including munitions began arriving in Israel last week, and continue to arrive on a near-daily basis. This assistance is comprised of capabilities requested by Israel to include Precision Guided Munitions such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, Small Diameter Bombs, 155 millimeter Artillery Ammunition and other categories of critical equipment.

In addition ,Iron Dome Interceptors from stocks that the United States has in country have been quickly provided to Israel. And in the days ahead will we be flowing additional Iron Dome Interceptors so that Israel has the capabilities they need to sustain their Iron Dome Defense Systems and protect their citizens and cities from rocket attacks.

We will leverage several avenues available to us to include our stocks and industry channels that reinforce the United States' unwavering and ironclad support for both the Israeli Defense Forces and the Israeli people.

As always, the Department of Defense will continue to support, plan, and undertake these critical missions professionally and with the inherent right to protect our Force.

And with that I will be happy to take your questions.

We'll start with AP, Tara Copp.

Q: Thank you, General Ryder. Could you also talk about apparently there's a new round of attacks at Al Assad that is occurring either now or has happened today. Do you have any information on that?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks Tara. I've seen some reporting on that. I don't have any details to provide right now but certainly as more information becomes available we'll pass that along.

Q: And then more generally as this violence has upticked since the hospital bombing. What protection measures are you taking particularly for the Forces in At-Tanf at where there's been so much activity over the years as fighters have tried to move weapons and people towards Hezbollah?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. Certainly, we take force protection extremely seriously and we will continue to do so. I'm not going to get into specific force protection measures other than again when we have forces in harm's way we're going to look at all possible efforts to ensure that they remain safe and are able to to stay focused on their on their mission. So this is something that we'll continue to monitor. But again, we are going to take force protection very seriously.

Q: But can you say like you've strengthened or taken additional force protection measures? And are you seeing more activity — more drone activity like in the last couple of days than you have you know, for the last few months?

GEN. RYDER: We are certainly taking appropriate force protection measures to ensure the safety of our troops. Again I'm not going to get into specifics. Clearly this is an uptick in terms of the types of drone activity we've seen in Iraq and Syria. But again yes, I'll just leave it at that. Thank you.

Jeff?

Q: All right. Sir, this is a sensitive question. There's a lot of talk among Special Operations veterans that when President Biden went to Israel he had a picture taken with some service members who look like special operators. Can the Defense Department confirm the White House took this picture down, that these were in fact Special Operators? And if so are they — is there a policy against having special operators have their picture taken?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. Thanks, Jeff.

I'd have to refer you to the White House on that. I just don't have any information to provide. Thank you.

Let me go here to Dan. And then we'll come back to yours.

Q: Thank you, General.

These attacks in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon commonly or often ascribes the blame on those two Iranian-backed militias or some similar description. Do you have the sense that's the case here?

GEN. RYDER: So we're continuing to assess the nature of these attacks. And that's something that we'll continue to look very closely at. As you've mentioned in the past we have seen Iranian-backed militia conduct these types of things. But as of right now I don't have any specifics to provide.

Q: More broadly related on Iran, do you have any update on whether Iran directly tied to the Hamas attack of October 7th?

GEN. RYDER: No. At this point again, the information that we have does not show a direct connection to the Hamas attacks on October 7th. As it relates to Iran, again, that's something that we'll continue to look closely at.

All that to say, we do know as you've heard others say that Iran has a significant relationship with Hamas in terms of funding, training, and support, and so again in that regard they certainly bear some responsibility. But again no direct linkage to these attacks. And we'll continue to keep an eye on that.

Let me go to Idrees.

Q: Just for clarification, the USS Carney. You said the – you can't say for certain where or what the missiles were targeting. Can you say that you — do you believe that they were targeting the Carney or do you believe they were not targeting the Carney?

GEN. RYDER: Again, what I provided at the top right now is what we know. Again, we'll continue to assess this.

Q: Can you talk about what Naval assets you have in total, in the Eastern Med and Red Sea? I think there was a USS Mount Whitney yesterday, that went there. How many ships do you have in total in the region right now?

GEN. RYDER: Sure. And so I'm not going to provide a laydown of all of our Forces in the region, Idrees, other than to say as you know, that the USS Gerald Ford Strike Group does remain underway in the eastern Mediterranean. The USS Mesa Verde is in the Mediterranean as well. We've got as I mentioned at the top ,the Eisenhower transiting the Atlantic Ocean right now in route to the eastern Mediterranean. The Carter Hall and the Baton currently remain underway in the Gulf of Aden. I know there's been some questions about that.

And I'm just going to leave it at that for right now.

Yes sir?

Q: Earlier today the State Department issued kind of a worldwide caution alert for Americans abroad. Given what we were talking about some of these drone attacks and attacks on other U.S. facilities, I'm curious is there going to be some sort of blanket warning for U.S. servicemembers and their families or are there any fears that these attacks will be more geared towards U.S. servicemembers even if not just in the Middle East but more broadly worldwide?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. So I'm not tracking any specific threats in that regard. Obviously, as I mentioned earlier we do take Force protection seriously no matter where we're serving. And so we'll continue to do that.

Q: So no general warning like State did?

GEN. RYDER: Again, two separate things, right, in terms of State Department and its responsibility to warn U.S. citizens. The U.S. military, by virtue of our mission, wherever we're serving, we're going to take appropriate force protection measures. But I'm not right now aware of any specific threats against U.S. service members and their families, which is what I think you're — you're asking.

Megan, I'm sorry, did you have a question? OK. Let me go to the phone here real quick. Let me go to Gordon Lubold, Wall Street Journal.

Q: Yeah, hey, Pat. Just two questions. On attribution, is there any reason to think that the perpetrators behind these attacks are not what they have been in the past? I know you're still investigating but I'm just wondering if there's any reason to think there'd be anything different? One.

And two, just to clarify, has — was there any American aircraft or other property damaged in any of these attacks? I can't remember if you said it specifically or not.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Gordon. So in terms of the attribution for these attacks, again, that's something that we're continuing to look at.

And I'm — I'm not going to have any information to provide right now in terms of the impacts of those attacks beyond what I've provided.

All right, let me go to Rebecca from BBC.

Q: Hi, thanks for taking the question. I wondered if you can confirm or you had any comments on these reports that the IDF has the green light to — has been given the green light to enter Gaza?

GEN. RYDER: So I — I've obviously seen the — the press reports on that. I'm not sure what that means. As it — as it relates to IDF operations, I would refer you to them to — to talk about their operations. Thank you.

Let me go to Courtney.

Q: The — the American — or the contractor who died of the cardiac event, was he or she an American citizen?

GEN. RYDER: I will get back to you on that.

Q: And then can you say how many drones were shot down? And what kind — and what did the Carney use to shoot down the — the cruise missiles and the drones?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks. So I don't have any information to provide on the specifics, in terms of what system the Carney used to take down. So if we're able to make that information available, we will.

And then in terms of the number of drones, I think I kind of laid that out, right?

Q: You said several ...

GEN. RYDER: Several. Yeah, that's about as specific as I can get right now.

Q: OK. And then just one other. I — I think this is to Idrees' question but I may be wrong. You said that the — you don't see any direct connection to these — this uptick in these recent attacks and — to October 7th, but I wonder if you see any connection to this uptick because it — it really — this is a — a departure from where it's been the past several months — if you see any connection to what's — to what's happened after October 7th? So to the fact that the Israelis are talking about a massive ground invasion, they're already doing these airstrikes, is it tied to that?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so — so, you know, the reality is, Courtney, I — I don't want to allow my imagination to fill in the gaps and — and the supposition — clearly, there are tensions in the region, which is why you see us working so hard right now to make sure that we're keeping lines of communication open with regional leaders, to make sure that we're sharing information, and also for actors in the region to understand our message loud and clear about deterrence, to pretend — prevent potential miscalculation.

Again, as we continue to look at this and analyze the nature of these attacks and attribute these attacks, you know, we'll certainly know more, but that's where we're at right now. In the meantime, again, our focus is going to be continuing to ensure that we are deterring a potential regional — broader regional conflict, as I mentioned, and also continuing to work closely with Israel to ensure they have what they need to defend themselves against future terrorist attacks.

Fadi?

Q: Thank you, General. So when — when you talk about the interception, you said this is a demonstration of the — integrating air and missile defense. Were other nations or — or partners in the region — did they contribute one way or the other to the interception, whether through information, radar? What — what did you mean ...

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so Fadi, as you know, the United States works with a lot of partners in the region, and broadly speaking, have integrated air defense capabilities. And so in this particular case, the USS Carney, as I highlighted, determining this threat, was able to take that threat out. And that's about as specific as I can get.

Q: So this was in partnership with other ...

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I — I don't have any other information ...

Q: ... and then on the — on the hospital, the President, as you know, mentioned that they — the — from the DOD to say Israel wasn't responsible. The IDF used Al Jazeera broadcast to make it — the case that it was a — a — Islamic Jihad. We did a very detailed investigative report about that. Based on our broadcasting, the missile that they claim it was a Jihad missile was actually intercepted seven minutes before the hospital was targeted. Channel 4 UK, they're saying even though there's not a big (inaudible) in ...

GEN. RYDER: Can you — I'm sorry, Fadi, but if — if you don't mind, just to get to the question?

Q: My — my point is there's lots of questioning of what the President claimed and what the Israelis are saying, noting that many hospital have been targeted, civilian and U.N. facilities by Israel. Are you willing to share the data that you have that the President used ...

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so let's — let's — let's — couple things here. So first of all, don't conflate other reporting and media reporting with where we're necessarily getting our information from, right? And we — we certainly have our own capabilities, some of which does include open source information, but we have other capabilities. And — and, you know, as you know, the White House put out a statement yesterday on this topic. So when it comes to informing our senior leaders, we are using our own information to make those assessments.

And as — as you've heard us say, right now, based on the information that we have, it is our assessment that Israel was not responsible for that — that explosion. We're continuing to assess that. Initial indications are that this was from an errant rocket that was launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

But again, we're going to continue to assess this, and — and that's where we're at on this particular topic right now. But again, just to — to reassure you, we're not necessarily relying on other reports or media reports to come to those conclusions.

Q: ... that wasn't my question. My question is does the department — because under international law, this is a war crime, regardless who did it, right? So is the department willing to share the data that it has ...

GEN. RYDER: Right now, I'm — I'm sharing with you what we have, and — and that's where we're at. So if we have more to provide, we — we certainly will.

But let me — yes, Lara?

Q: Thank you. Just some clarifications. In Syria and Iraq, can you say a little bit more about how — how the — they took out the drones?

And then on the Carney, could you give more specifics on where the intercept took place? Was it over land or over sea?

GEN. RYDER: Sure. So my understanding on the — on the latter — and again, you know, we'll have more details potentially in the future here — but my understand was that was over water.

As far as the — taking out the drones, I'm not going to get into specifics, other than to say defensive systems on those facilities were able to successfully take those drones down.

Q: So not fighter — not fighter jets is ...

GEN. RYDER: Correct, not fighter jets.

Q: And then just a broader question — just given all of the assets that have been sent to the region for deterrence and the — given these attacks, is deterrence working? And do you see this as an escalation?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so that's a great question. And what I would say is it's important, again, to take a step back. Now, first of all, these attacks, these small scale attacks, are clearly concerning and dangerous, right? And we're going to — as I mentioned, we're going to do everything necessary to ensure that we're protecting our forces. And — and if and when we choose to respond, we'll do so — that — at a time of our choosing.

But if you step back and look again at what our broader strategic aim here, which is deter — deter broader regional conflict, which is why you see us putting additional forces into the theater, which gives us more options to respond, which is also why you see us continuing to communicate very actively with partners in the region, as well as potential actors who might want to try to take advantage of this.

So again, right now, this conflict is contained between Israel and Hamas, and we're going to do everything we can to ensure deterrence in the region so that this does not become a broader regional conflict.

Let me go to Tony.

Q: Yeah, I was going to — if you can square that circle again? Somebody, while listening in on this, is going to think the Middle East is on fire now because of the U.S. helping after October 7th. Broadly, you don't see any connection between these — Yemen, Syria, and Iraq at this point, in terms of Iran directing or some great hand directing the attacks?

GEN. RYDER: Again, right now, I think you have to look at these individually. Again, we're taking them seriously and we're responding appropriately obviously, ensuring that our forces are protected. But again, our focus is on deterring a broader regional conflict, and right now, this conflict is contained between Israel and Hamas. And we'll continue to work very closely with partners in the region and allies to ensure that we can maintain deterrence going forward.

Q: ... question, a follow-up — what advanced aircraft are you talking about? And where are the Iron Dome interceptors from the United States coming from? Are those those from Army stocks being flown to Israel?

GEN. RYDER: In terms of the interceptor ammunition?

Q: Yeah.

GEN. RYDER: So Tony, we'll — we'll have a variety of means available to us, to include stocks that are already in Israel. And so again, I won't get into specifics on where exactly they're coming from, other than we have a variety of — of means to — to do that.

And then I'm sorry, your first question?

Q: ... you did say though they were being flown from the United States, the interceptors — a follow-on — and — and Iron Dome interceptors. So I'm just asking are those the Army stocks?

GEN. RYDER: In terms of the interceptor ammunition? Yes.

Q: ... same thing — interceptors ...

GEN. RYDER: Yeah. I mean, again, we have a variety of — of sources, both U.S.-based and then also coming from within — in Israel.

Q: ... are those now being re-deployed to the region?

GEN. RYDER: And then in terms of advanced fighter aircraft, just to — to clarify, in terms of F-16, F-15s, right now, I don't — I'm not tracking any F-35s to — to read out on the — on that front, but again, if that changes, we'll let you know.

OK, thank you. Time for a few more. Yes, sir? You're raising your hand but you're not looking. Yes, sir? No.

Q: Yes, thank you. So I have a couple of questions on Ukraine. So there are reports that the Pentagon plans to send Israel artillery shells that were initially designated for Ukraine. Could you provide any comments on that?

GEN. RYDER: I — I don't have any information on that, other than to say that — that we are confident we can continue to support both Ukraine and Israel, in terms of their defensive needs.

Q: One on ATACMS — so could you specify how many missiles has the U.S. provided for Ukraine? Are there any conditions on their use in the battlefield, your assessment how will they compliment Ukrainian abilities?

GEN. RYDER: Sure. So no, I can't get into the specifics, in terms of the number of ATACMS that we've provided, but just like all of the other systems and — and equipment that we've provided to Ukraine, it is with the assurances that this will be used within sovereign Ukraine to take back and defend sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Q: If I could follow up — so the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said that this is not the — the first shipment. There was a commitment to provide more ATACMS for Ukraine in the future. Could you comment on that?

GEN. RYDER: I — yeah, I don't — again, we're going to continue to consult with Ukraine, our allies and partners to ensure they have what they need to defend themselves against Russia.

OK, let me just go to the phone here real quick. Jeff Zeldin, VOA?

Q: Thanks very much for doing this. You've spoken a little bit about the military attacks in — in the region, the drone attacks, the missiles launched by the Houthi, but to what extent is the Pentagon worried about some of the non-military or non-militant group activity, like some of the protests that are looking at U.S. targets, embassies, the — the — you know, the — the bigger concern that maybe there is a coordinated push between kinetic means and — and — and other people pushing buttons to enflame tensions in the region?

And then also, in the past, the Pentagon has been part of the effort to declassify information to push back against narratives like with Russia. Is the Pentagon pushing for any of the — or advocating declassifying information with the bombing at the Al-Ahli hospital since the narrative that Israel did bomb the hospital has enflamed tensions so much?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Jeff. So on — on your latter question, again, as I — as I mentioned to Fadi, when and if we have more information to provide on that, we certainly will. I just don't have any additional information at this time.

As it relates to the broader Middle East region and around the world, of course we always take safety and security of our citizens very seriously. We will continue to stay in close consultation with State Department. It is — it is clearly something we're keeping an eye on. We — we recognize that there are tensions right now in the Middle East and throughout the broader region.

Again, I'm not tracking any specific information regarding the — the specific targeting of American citizens or U.S. military forces or their families, but again, this is something that we will take seriously and — and do whatever we need to do to ensure their safety. Thanks very much.

Yep?

Q: Why did the U.S. shoot down these missiles and drones? And why — what was the — I mean, what — why — why — we — in the northern Red Sea? Who — who were they protecting?

GEN. RYDER: Again, I — what I read out at the top is what I've got on that, Courtney.

Q: Is that — I don't — but I don't think you necessarily addressed it. I mean, it's — it's pretty uncommon. I think, if I remember correctly, there have been cases of U.S. intercepting some things in — like with Bab-el-Mandeb, but I don't ever remember them — you guys intercepting anything in the northern Red Sea. So there must have been a reason, something like — the — the decision was made to protect — was it Israel or?

GEN. RYDER: Well again, as — as this missile was detected and the — the decision was made that it posed a potential threat based on its flight profile, and so the decision was made to take it down, and that's ...

Q: ... threat to Israel or to ...

GEN. RYDER: Again, this is something — this is something we're still assessing.

Q: Did Secretary Austin have to — is — is that a Secretary level decision to do that?

GEN. RYDER: Not to my knowledge.

Q: So it's the ship's commander or?

GEN. RYDER: I don't have the specifics, in terms of who made that authorization, but clearly the — we always maintain the inherent right to self-defense. And so the decision was made to — to take the shot, and they took it.

Q: But you said potentially inside of Israel earlier — just as — as a clarification — potentially targets inside of ...

(CROSSTALK)

GEN. RYDER: Toward Israel.

Q: Toward it?

GEN. RYDER: Correct.

Q: Oh, OK.

(CROSSTALK)

Q: ... but was it self-defense or was it ...

GEN. RYDER: Again, what I had at the top there is what I have to provide.

Let me go to Mike.

Q: Yeah, I want to ask about the hospital issue again. A lot of the reporting on these Hamas figures, that it was several hundred victims. Now, AFP is coming out saying it was, like, 30 to 50. I was wondering does the U.S. have any better idea of actually how many casualties there were from it?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Mike. So — so the short answer is not yet. That's something that we're — we're looking at. And — and like you, we've seen numbers all over the map. So that's another aspect that we're looking at right now. Thank you.

Yes, sir?

Q: Thanks, General. On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that it was giving the sort of ready to deploy order to around 2,000 troops, but the units had not yet been identified. Have any units out of that — those 2,000 rough troops been identified yet?

GEN. RYDER: Yes. So we have identified units but what I will tell you is right now we're just not going to go into specifics unless those — those units are actually tasked to deploy, at which time we will be prepared to talk about what those units are.

Q: Are you able to at least say whether those units are stateside or OCONUS at the moment?

GEN. RYDER: I am not. Thanks.

Yes, ma'am?

Q: Thank you. Secretary Austin has stressed the need to focus on therce post-war plan for Gaza war. President Biden mentioned the mistakes found by the U.S. after 9/11, which could be the invasion for Iraq or the strategies there, but I don't know if you agree. Which could’ve improved in Iran's position, and 2,000 forces ready in the Mediterranean. Spokesman Kirby told that no intention of — to put U.S. boots on the ground.

My question is even though the U.S. tries to limit the damage, does the Pentagon assess a big or impact Iran, Syria, or Turkey? And any preparation of U.S. military presence on the ground in a post-war picture scenario in the Middle East again?

GEN. RYDER: I'm not sure I understand what you're — you're asking.

Q: The question is given that you are trying to limit the damage, do you assess a big and large war in the Middle East, including Iran's ...

(CROSSTALK)

GEN. RYDER: Do we assess a big — a large war?

Q: Yes.

GEN. RYDER: That's exactly what we're trying to prevent, right? I mean, that — that is the — the United States clearly working with our international allies and partners around the world to ensure regional stability and security, to prevent regional — or prevent conflicts from becoming regional.

And again, you know, like — like everyone else, all — all peace and freedom loving countries, we want people to be able to live in peace, security and stability, and we will continue to stay focused on that.

This is a very unfortunate situation right now that — that we're seeing play out, as Israel tries to defend itself from Hamas terrorist attacks. And so we'll continue to stand by the people of Israel as they look to defend themselves and their — their country.

But certainly when it comes to the broader Middle East, no one wants to see this expand into a broader regional war, and we'll continue to work with our allies and partners to — to prevent that.

Q: ... case?

GEN. RYDER: I — I'm not going to get into hypotheticals. I think you and I would both agree that we certainly would not want to see that.

All right, time for a few more. Yes, sir?

Q: Just real quick, I wonder if you can clarify the — the nature of the minor injuries by the coalition personnel sustained in Iraq and ...

GEN. RYDER: I cannot, other than to say in all cases they returned to duty. Thank you.

Q: Just a quick follow-up — you mentioned this conflict is assessed to be currently contained between Israel and Hamas. The — the attack — attacks on the Asad Air Base was claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, just umbrella term for Iran-backed groups in Iraq.

The head of (inaudible) two weeks ago said that if the Americans intervene in Gaza, the entire, quote, "axis of resistance will intervene and the entire region will catch fire." (Inaudible), head of the (inaudible) Organization in Iraq, said that "we will consider all Americans legitimate targets if the U.S. intervenes in the Gaza conflict." Yemen's Houthi leader said a similar comment, saying that his side was in total coordination with other IRGC-backed groups across the region.

Does the department really see no connection between the Gaza war and what just happened?

GEN. RYDER: Look, again, it's important to separate these attacks from the current situation. We're going to continue to assess attribution on these. Certainly, rhetoric from hate groups is not a new thing in the region. We're of course going to take all of that seriously but we're also not going to overreact. We're going to continue to do what we need to do to deter conflict and ensure regional stability, while at the same time supporting Israel. OK?

All right, last question?

Q: Thanks, General. So the State Department has released numbers that about 30 — at least 30 American citizens died in the initial Hamas attack in Israel. Do you have any data on whether — you know, how many of those were combatants, like dual citizens fighting with Israel, or how many were just tourists or U.S. civilians over there?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I really don't. I don't.

And actually, I apologize. One more from the phone here. Let me go to James from Messenger.

Q: Hi. Thank you. So if you historically look at any U.S. airstrike that accidentally kills civilians, even if those civilians are co-located with — with enemy combatants, the U.S. typically takes responsibility for — for that incident. Israel's position has been that in airstrikes in Gaza, it is not their fault that innocent civilians have been killed. In fact, it's the fault of Hamas. And — and I'm wondering where the U.S. stands on that position that Israel is taking?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, James. So I'm — I'm not going to speak for Israel. You know — you know, I will say — and — and you've heard Secretary Austin say this — that Israel is a professional military, it's professionally led, but this is something that we have been communicating actively, both publicly and privately, in terms of the importance of ensuring — and — and as I mentioned in my topper, safeguarding civilians, both Palestinian and Israeli, as — as these operations are planned. And so that will continue to be our position. Thank you.

Q: And just real quick, are there any Special Operations Forces in Israel right now?

GEN. RYDER: I don't have any specifics to provide for you. If — if your question is do we have Special Operations Forces conducting, you know, boots on the ground operations, again, you've heard us say that we are not going to have, you know, boots on the ground. But I don't have anything.

We are — we are providing planning and intelligence support to the Israelis, as it pertains to hostage recovery. That's about the extent of — of what I'm able to provide right now.

Hey, before — the — I'm sorry — before we conclude, I just want to highlight one other thing. On Tuesday this week, Ms. Laura Cooper, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia, was recognized as the 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Federal Employee of the Year award winner.

And since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Cooper and her team have led the response by the U.S. and a coalition of some-50 countries to secure critical military aid for Ukraine at an unprecedented pace.

Also known as the Oscars of government service, the Sammies are premier awards and recognition program for federal employees. And so on behalf of the Secretary of Defense and the entire DOD, we want to congratulate Ms. Cooper on this significant professional accomplishment.

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

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