Blinken and Austin bolster US support for Israel

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Blinken and Austin bolster US support for Israel
By Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Lee, The Associated Press
Oct 15, 09:39 AM
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin thanks crew members at the Nevatim Air Base in the desert in Israel, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin thanks crew members at the Nevatim Air Base in the desert in Israel, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. (Lolita Baldor/AP)

TEL AVIV, Israel — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured Israel that “we have your back” as he and America’s top diplomat met Friday with Israeli and Arab leaders. There was no indication the U.S. was trying to prevent an expected Israeli ground offensive into Gaza that could worsen a humanitarian crisis for the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in the blockaded territory.

The visits to the Middle East by Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken came as Israel escalated its war against Hamas militants in response to their shocking and brutal rampage last weekend.

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