Lloyd Austin calls US support “unwavering” and calls on Israel to do more to protect civilians and increase aid deliveries.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington would continue to support Israel in its war with Hamas, but urged its ally to do more to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip amid growing growth calls for a ceasefire.

Speaking alongside Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on Monday, Austin said U.S. support for Israel was “unwavering” as the death toll from Israel’s attack on Gaza exceeded 19,000, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Austin said he spoke with Gallant about how to reduce harm to civilians trapped on the battlefield. They also talked about a transition from a major battle to a lower-intensity conflict.

“There will be phases in every campaign,” Austin said. “We will remain committed to protecting civilians during conflict and increasing the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” Austin said.

While the US provides Israel with weapons and diplomatic support, it has recently toughened its tone towards the Netanyahu government. Last week, President Joe Biden said Israel was in danger of losing international support because of what he called it “indiscriminate” bombing.

However, Austin assured Monday: “American support for Israel’s security is unwavering. “Israel is not alone.”

Gallant, meanwhile, said Israel would gradually move into the next phase of its operations in Gaza and that the displaced people could probably initially return to the north of the enclave.

Austin’s visit came amid growing concerns among foreign governments and international organizations about the number of civilian deaths in Gaza and a worsening situation Humanitarian crisis.

Previously, the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch said that Israel was “deliberately blocking and “depleting” the supply of water, food and fuel to the people of Gaza. hunger the civilian population as a method of warfare”.

The Israeli attack on Gaza began after Hamas killed about 1,200 people and left about 240 others dead in southern Israel caughtaccording to Israeli authorities.

Israel’s relentless bombing and ground invasion has killed at least 19,453 people, most of them women and children, leveled entire neighborhoods and displaced more than 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, according to Palestinian health authorities.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has backed Israel’s campaign, said on Monday that “too many civilians” had been killed in the fighting and expressed support for a “sustainable ceasefire.”

While Austin has stated that more aid must be provided to the people of Gaza, the US has become increasingly isolated over its stance on the war between Israel and Hamas.

Last week, the US cast one of the few dissenting votes against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire that is past with overwhelming support.

The UN Security Council is due to vote on a ceasefire on Monday after the US also vetoed it previous resolution.

International leaders have also expressed concern about the possibility of major regional escalation as the war drags on.

Austin said Monday that the U.S. would advance efforts to address a series of attacks in Yemen Houthi rebel group which disrupted merchant shipping in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed group says the attacks are an attempt to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza.

“In the Red Sea, we are leading a multinational maritime task force to uphold the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation,” Austin said.

The Pentagon chief also warned of greater involvement by the powerful Iran-backed group Hezbollahwhich has fought a firefight with Israel from southern Lebanon since the fighting began, but has so far avoided a major confrontation.

US officials have said this William Burnsthe director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), meets with his Israeli counterpart and the prime minister of Qatar to discuss a possible agreement to secure the release of more prisoners held by Hamas.

A previous deal that Qatar and Egypt helped broker secured a seven-day ceasefire and release of dozens of prisoners in exchange for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.