BREAKING NEWS: Pentagon Holds Press Briefing As US Completes Humanitarian Aid Pier In Gaza
On Thursday, Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh answered reporter questions during a press briefing.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 >> Okay. Good afternoon.
00:05 Just a few things at the top, and then I'd be happy
00:08 to jump in and take your questions.
00:10 On Secretary Austin's first full day as Secretary of Defense,
00:13 he made countering sexual assault and sexual harassment
00:16 in the military a top priority.
00:18 Over the past three years,
00:19 the department has taken unprecedented steps
00:22 to tackle this problem.
00:24 This includes swift and rigorous implementation
00:26 of the approved recommendations
00:28 of the Independent Review Commission on sexual assault
00:31 in the military, as well as the establishment of the Offices
00:35 of Special Trial Counsel.
00:37 Today, the Department of Defense released its fiscal year 2023
00:41 annual report on sexual assault in the military.
00:44 Its findings demonstrate that the department is making
00:47 progress to prevent sexual assault
00:48 and harassment in the military.
00:51 This is the first time the department has seen a decrease
00:54 in the prevalence of sexual assault
00:56 in more than eight years.
00:58 These early findings are encouraging.
01:00 However, Secretary Austin has said we have far more work to do
01:04 and that his only acceptable number of instances
01:06 of sexual assault or sexual harassment
01:08 in the US military is zero.
01:11 We owe it to all of our service members, DOD civilians,
01:14 and their families to get this right.
01:17 Switching gears, turning to an update
01:19 of the Maritime Humanitarian Corridor off the coast of Gaza.
01:23 Earlier this morning,
01:25 US Central Command successfully anchored the temporary
01:28 pier to the beach in Gaza with the help of IDF engineers
01:32 and without any boots, any US boots on the ground in Gaza.
01:37 This group of IDF engineers were specially trained for this
01:40 mission by US Army engineers in the preceding weeks on a beach
01:44 in Israel, and again, I'll reiterate
01:47 that there were no US boots on the ground.
01:50 As you can see from the photos here on this monitor,
01:52 the establishment of the Trident Pier has been coordinated
01:56 to support USAID's and the UN's effort
01:59 to deliver and distribute aid.
02:01 In the coming days, aid will be offloaded from the ships
02:05 at a floating roll-on, roll-off distribution facility,
02:09 ferried to this Trident Pier, and then driven to the shore
02:12 in Gaza, where USAID and the UN will manage the distribution.
02:18 And I'd just like to highlight a few key points.
02:21 The purpose of this temporary pier is
02:23 to deliver critical humanitarian assistance
02:25 to the Palestinian people.
02:27 The pier is temporary and not meant
02:29 to replace land routes into Gaza.
02:32 And last, this is an internationally backed effort
02:35 coordinated with the United Nations.
02:38 The US military is merely providing the logistical support
02:41 to enable humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza from the sea.
02:45 For weeks, we have been working side by side with the USAID team,
02:49 the Cypriots, the Israelis, and the United Nations
02:52 to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance
02:55 into Gaza.
02:56 Today, we have hundreds of tons of aid ready for delivery
03:00 and thousands of tons of aid in the pipeline.
03:03 Some of this aid has already been loaded
03:05 onto motor vessel Roy P. Benavidez,
03:09 which is currently off the coast of Gaza.
03:11 To emphasize again, this is a mission
03:13 to get humanitarian aid into Gaza.
03:16 And an attack on those dedicated
03:18 to this mission would jeopardize the life-saving aid needed
03:20 for the Palestinian people.
03:22 And staying within the CENTCOM area of responsibility,
03:27 Exercise Eager Lion hosted by Jordan began this week
03:30 with Jordan, the United States,
03:32 and 33 additional partner nations.
03:34 This is the 11th iteration of this annual exercise
03:37 and underscores the United States' commitment
03:40 to interoperability with our partners
03:42 in the region while refining our ability to defend
03:45 against hybrid threats by state and non-state actors.
03:49 As we work to deter and address aggressive actions
03:52 by malign actors around the world, these kinds of exercises
03:55 and partnerships enable us to meet new
03:58 and continuing threats together.
04:00 The U.S. military participates in more than 80 exercises
04:03 with partner nations in the U.S. CENTCOM area
04:06 of responsibility each year to strengthen mil-to-mil
04:09 relationships, promote regional security,
04:12 and improve interoperability with our partner nations.
04:15 With that, I'd be happy to take your questions.
04:17 Tara.
04:18 >> Hi, Jaina.
04:19 So, a question on distribution.
04:21 When can we expect to see the first aid actually reach Gaza
04:26 and not just get to the marshaling area,
04:28 but actually get into the hands of those who need it most?
04:31 >> So, we should expect aid to flow within the coming days,
04:34 and that will be through the marshaling area into Gaza.
04:37 We're not looking for aid to just sit
04:39 in that marshaling area, so it will be pretty immediate.
04:42 Once the, once our ships are able to get to the pier
04:45 and transload that aid onto the pier,
04:47 you'll see it happen pretty quickly.
04:49 >> But is there any risk that there'll be backups
04:52 like we've seen at these other gates
04:54 where there's actually trucks ready to then take the aid
04:57 out of the marshaling areas?
04:59 Are there any guarantees from the Israelis that that's going
05:01 to flow and they've got the safe routes to go
05:04 and that coordination's in place?
05:06 >> So, we've worked very closely with the IDF and not,
05:09 and not just the IDF, with the UN, with USAID, and other NGOs
05:13 that are going to be facilitating the movement
05:15 and distribution of this aid.
05:17 We should not see any backups within what you're describing is
05:21 from the marshaling area into Gaza.
05:23 We believe that aid should flow without any stoppage.
05:29 I have to emphasize, though, this is not the solve.
05:34 This is an additive measure to the land routes,
05:37 and we know that the land routes are the best, most quickest,
05:40 most efficient way to get aid in.
05:42 This is just one injected way to get aid
05:45 into the Palestinian people.
05:47 >> And are there any delays or complications by the fact
05:50 that there's so many newly displaced civilians
05:55 because of the operations going on in the Rafah?
05:57 >> Not to my knowledge.
05:59 Tom.
06:00 >> You say in the coming days.
06:01 If it's anchored to the beach now and the Benavides has the aid
06:06 on board, why can't you offload it now?
06:08 What's the holdup?
06:10 >> Yeah, so they're still just making sure everything is set
06:13 and ready to go.
06:14 I said it will be in the coming days.
06:16 When we have more to provide, we certainly will,
06:18 but I don't expect this is going to be a long wait time here.
06:22 We already have aids loaded with, you know, hundreds
06:26 and hundreds of tons on ships.
06:28 So we do want to get it moving, but, you know,
06:30 we want to make sure everything is in place.
06:31 And then as soon as the commander feels
06:34 that we are ready to go, that aid will start moving.
06:36 >> We've been told 90 trucks per day initially,
06:38 ramping up to 150.
06:40 Presumably you'll do a dry run.
06:42 Is it five trucks, ten trucks?
06:44 Do we have any sense?
06:45 >> So I think I said this earlier this week,
06:47 but you should really think of this as a crawl, walk, run.
06:52 This is going to be slow at first.
06:54 We're going to do our, you know, initial runs,
06:57 making sure that everything flows, that nothing,
06:59 as to Tara's question, that nothing does get backed
07:02 up as it shouldn't.
07:03 That aid can flow from the pier directly
07:06 from the marshaling area into Gaza.
07:08 And then, you know, once that is set,
07:11 once we reach full operational capacity, you'll be able
07:14 to see more trucks rolling off.
07:16 Andres?
07:17 >> What commitments have the Israelis made in terms
07:20 of facilitating the convoys when they're in Gaza?
07:23 And how are you, and I guess them,
07:25 going to ensure there isn't another sort
07:27 of world food kitchen scenario where they strike aid vehicles?
07:30 >> I think that's a great question.
07:32 And that's why we have the two deconfliction cells
07:36 that have been set up in Cyprus and in Israel.
07:39 It is to ensure that we have our NGO partners, the UN,
07:42 sitting side by side with us, with the IDF, to make sure
07:46 that we're all talking to each other,
07:48 that deconfliction does happen,
07:50 and so that these aid convoys can continue on.
07:52 >> Are you guys on each aid convoy
07:54 as it's going through Gaza?
07:55 >> So I'm not going to get into more specifics on that.
07:58 But I can tell you that we have, the team has worked very,
08:01 very hard to make sure that aid can come off the pier
08:04 and can get distributed quickly into Gaza.
08:08 We know how dire the humanitarian situation is
08:11 on the ground, and so we want to make sure
08:13 that aid gets in as quickly as possible.
08:14 >> Quick question.
08:16 Israel's defense minister has sort of come out in recent days
08:20 and sort of opposed any long-term military Israeli rule
08:23 of Gaza.
08:25 Is that something he has brought up with the Secretary
08:26 in the many conversations that he's had with Austin?
08:29 >> So I won't get into more details
08:30 on their private conversations.
08:32 But what I can tell you is, you know,
08:34 we also share the same sentiment.
08:36 We don't want to see, we want to see a two-state solution.
08:42 And when it comes to the future of Gaza,
08:44 we don't support an Israeli occupation.
08:46 But right now, what we're focused on is, of course,
08:49 the maritime humanitarian corridor and making sure
08:52 that aid can get in as quickly as possible.
08:55 >> Oren and then Lara.
08:56 >> I have a question about Rafah.
08:58 >> Sure.
08:59 >> Over the course of the past several days, since May 7th,
09:00 when Israel first went into Rafah,
09:02 you've called it a limited operation.
09:04 And yet, we have seen Israel push farther and farther in.
09:07 Do you still believe this operation is limited?
09:09 Or is this simply a full-scale invasion in incremental stages?
09:12 >> We do not believe that at this time, right now,
09:15 that this is a full-scale invasion.
09:17 We still assess that it is limited.
09:19 And what the IDF is doing is limited in its operations.
09:22 But to be clear, we don't support ongoing operations
09:27 in Rafah, given the size and scale
09:30 of a humanitarian population there.
09:32 And we've said that both very publicly and privately
09:35 to our Israeli counterparts.
09:36 >> Just a quick follow-up.
09:37 When you say we assess that it's limited,
09:39 are the Israelis not telling you their intent with Rafah,
09:42 what they intend to do or how far they intend to go?
09:45 >> Well, I mean, I think the Israelis have said pretty
09:47 publicly that they want to get rid
09:49 of every single Hamas battalion that still exists in Rafah.
09:52 And our concern -- we share the sentiment.
09:55 We certainly want to see Hamas eradicated and destroyed.
10:00 But what we -- or defeated.
10:03 What we continue to emphasize, though, is how you go
10:06 about doing those operations.
10:07 And especially with, you know,
10:09 over a million people sheltering there in Rafah.
10:13 We have our concerns.
10:15 And we've certainly shared those concerns.
10:17 >> Laura.
10:18 >> A couple questions following up on Jilat first.
10:22 How long is the temporary pier going to be able to stay
10:25 off the coast of Gaza, given the fall weather
10:28 that may be coming up?
10:29 >> I don't have a timeline for you right now.
10:31 As you probably heard Vice Admiral Cooper speak
10:33 to this earlier today,
10:34 weather conditions right now are pretty good throughout the
10:37 summer.
10:38 But I just don't have a timeline to put on the temporary pier.
10:42 Other than to say it is designed to be temporary.
10:46 This is not going to be a permanent way of getting aid
10:51 in to Gaza by using the Jilat system.
10:53 >> Okay. And then I just wanted to ask you about --
10:56 I know the President announced last week
10:58 that he had paused some shipments --
11:00 one shipment of weapons to Israel.
11:03 I'm wondering if the Pentagon has delivered any additional
11:06 shipments of other weapons or the same kind
11:08 of weapons since then.
11:09 >> So it's still that one shipment that has been paused.
11:12 And those are those high payload bombs that we paused
11:16 that shipment on a week or two ago.
11:21 Security assistance does continue
11:23 to flow to Israel though.
11:24 There have been shipments since going to Israel,
11:27 but not those high payload munitions.
11:30 Fadi?
11:31 >> Thank you, Sabrina.
11:33 So on the pier issue, the UN seems worried
11:35 about the possibility or feasibility of getting this aid
11:41 off the pier to northern Gaza
11:43 where they say the need is most acute.
11:46 Considering the location of this pier, do you have guarantees
11:50 from the Israelis that these trucks will be able
11:52 to reach northern Gaza?
11:53 >> We believe that the trucks will be able
11:55 to reach the populations that need them most,
11:57 which include northern Gaza.
11:59 But again, that's really something for the UN to speak
12:01 to as they're handling the distribution of that.
12:04 USAID is, of course, working with the UN to ensure
12:08 that supplies, whether it be food, water,
12:11 medical can continue to get to those who need it most.
12:14 But it's really the UN that should speak
12:16 to where they're going to target some of their deliveries.
12:18 >> Is it the UN or the Israeli occupation forces
12:21 since they are being -- they are the party
12:25 that is targeting aid workers?
12:28 And they can block these trucks from getting to northern Gaza
12:32 since they occupy parts of Gaza?
12:34 So did you get any guarantees from the Israeli forces
12:38 that they will let the UN distribute aid in northern Gaza?
12:42 >> So something that I think you should remember, Fadi,
12:44 is that we've had the UN working within Gaza for a very long time
12:47 since the war started.
12:49 So UN workers are familiar with some of the checkpoints.
12:53 And we believe that through the deconfliction cells,
12:57 that will enable these trucks to get to where they need to,
13:00 and as quickly as possible,
13:01 and to the populations that need them most.
13:03 Whether it be in the north or elsewhere, we want to ensure,
13:07 or we want to see the aid get to where it needs.
13:10 But I have to remind you, and I know you know this,
13:13 but the amount of trucks coming off of the pier is not going
13:17 to be the same of what can come from the land crossings.
13:20 So we have to see those land routes open.
13:22 And the quickest way to get aid in, whether it be the north
13:25 or anywhere else in Gaza, is going to be through those land routes.
13:28 This is just meant to be an additive measure.
13:31 >> Finally, obviously fuel is very important
13:35 to delivering this aid through trucks,
13:38 and crucial for medical operation in Gaza.
13:42 Are you going to be delivering fuel as well,
13:44 since Israel closed most of the land routes?
13:47 >> Right now, the focus is just on humanitarian aid,
13:49 so that includes food and water, right now.
13:51 >> Where do these trucks get fuel from?
13:54 >> Well, the fuel is coming in through land routes.
13:56 We want to see those land routes continue to open.
13:58 There's not enough trucks that have been going
14:00 through on those land routes.
14:01 That's something that every single conversation the
14:05 Secretary has with his counterpart, it is raised,
14:07 and not speaking on behalf of others across this building,
14:10 but it is certainly raised by other agencies
14:13 across the administration.
14:15 Louie.
14:16 >> Sabina, do you have any indications
14:18 that Hamas may actually intend to threaten the JALOTS system?
14:24 And there have been these other incidents recently,
14:29 that it seemed to indicate that there was attacks,
14:31 but they weren't directly related anywhere near this
14:33 marshaling area.
14:34 So, can you tell us, I mean, do you have any indications
14:37 that Hamas is threatening, and is that a good thing?
14:42 >> We have been very clear, and I will say, have tried to be as,
14:46 you know, open and public as possible, that everything to do
14:49 with this pier is about getting humanitarian assistance
14:53 into Gaza.
14:55 We don't have any indications
14:56 that there should be any attacks on this pier.
14:58 But should there be attacks either towards the humanitarian,
15:03 the maritime humanitarian corridor,
15:05 or around the marshaling area, that is going
15:07 to directly affect Palestinian people,
15:10 the people that need this aid the most.
15:12 So, if Hamas decides to attack this area,
15:15 they are directly harming people in Gaza that are starving,
15:19 that need this aid at a critical time.
15:23 So, we haven't seen any indications of that.
15:25 We were able to secure the pier in overnight.
15:31 You know, we're always assessing the security situation,
15:34 and working with the IDF,
15:35 who's also helping provide security for our forces.
15:38 But right now, we're just focused on getting that aid in.
15:43 Jamie.
15:44 -Sarina.
15:46 On the Sunday meeting between Russia and China, okay,
15:50 Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China-Russia relations
15:56 are at the best level in history.
16:00 And Russian President Putin announced
16:03 that he will visit Harbin Institute of Technology,
16:08 which is sanctioned by United States
16:12 in connection with missile development.
16:16 How do you concern the strengthening
16:19 of military cooperation between China and Russia?
16:23 -I don't really have anything to offer on the meeting.
16:25 What I can tell you is that we've been very clear
16:27 with any countries that offer Russia assistance
16:30 when it comes to their unjust war in Ukraine.
16:36 Again, this is a country that attacked its sovereign neighbor.
16:42 The United States is proud to stand strong with the coalition
16:46 that we've built through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group,
16:48 and that's what we're focused on.
16:50 -President Xi Jinping said that the peace talks on Ukraine
16:56 should be discussed based on a proposal made by China.
17:02 How do you view on this?
17:05 -Yeah, I'm gonna let Ukraine speak to its own sovereignty
17:08 and decisions that it makes going forward.
17:11 What we're focused on, Jeannie, as you know,
17:13 is providing the equipment,
17:16 the capabilities that Ukraine needs on the battlefield
17:19 to be successful.
17:22 They are in the fight of their lives.
17:24 We're seeing that around Kharkiv.
17:25 We're seeing Russian forces amassed around there,
17:28 which is why you've seen us,
17:30 since we got that supplemental package,
17:32 surge assistance to Ukraine.
17:34 And we believe some of that is getting to the front lines
17:37 as quickly as possible, but what we want to see
17:40 is Ukraine be successful in its fight against Russia,
17:42 and I'll just leave it at that.
17:44 Yeah. -Thank you.
17:45 I have a couple on Ukraine and then one on Niger.
17:47 So we've heard a number of times from the U.S.
17:49 officials that U.S.
17:51 does not want Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia
17:54 with American weapons.
17:55 In the wake of Russian offensive and attacks on Kharkiv,
17:58 does U.S. consider changing that approach?
18:01 Because that's what Ukraines are asking for.
18:03 It's very difficult for them to respond to these attacks
18:06 that come literally from across the border
18:07 when Russians know that they can basically be saved there.
18:10 -Yeah, we haven't changed our position.
18:12 We believe that the equipment,
18:14 the capabilities that we are giving Ukraine,
18:16 that other countries are giving to Ukraine
18:19 should be used to take back Ukrainian sovereign territory.
18:22 -Just a clarification, is this a request to Ukrainians,
18:25 or this is a binding condition that goes along with weapons?
18:28 -We've made our request pretty public on this.
18:33 Again, I would reiterate that in every single
18:37 Ukrainian defense contact group that the Secretary convenes,
18:40 the weapons that are provided,
18:41 again, it's for use on the battlefield.
18:44 And the Secretary, in his conversations
18:48 with Minister Umarov,
18:50 talks through how best those capabilities can be used,
18:53 and we believe that is within Ukrainian territory.
18:57 -One on Niger.
18:58 What was concluded during the talk between U.S.
19:01 and Niger officials on the withdrawal of American forces,
19:04 and when will the withdrawal begin,
19:06 and how long is it expected to take?
19:08 -So, I don't have a timeline for you to set just right
19:12 this moment on a withdrawal.
19:15 It will be an orderly withdrawal from Niger.
19:18 The DOD-led delegation is still there right now,
19:21 so conversations are still ongoing,
19:23 and I don't have anything to read out just yet.
19:26 But, since you're so interested, when we do have more to share,
19:30 we certainly will. Yeah.
19:31 -Sabrina, Lucas Tomlinson Fox News.
19:33 -I know who you are. -It's been a while.
19:35 What is the Pentagon's reaction to two Jordanian nationals
19:39 caught breaking and entering a U.S.
19:41 Marine Corps base in Quantico?
19:43 -So, I am aware of those reports.
19:44 I just don't have more information for you.
19:48 I believe the Marine Corps might have more,
19:49 so I'd have to refer you to them to speak to it.
19:51 -Sabrina, this incident happened almost two weeks ago.
19:54 -Yeah. -You make it sound like
19:55 you haven't heard of this incident before.
19:56 Does that mean the Secretary hasn't been briefed?
19:59 -I can assure you, Lucas, that we get updates
20:04 from all of our bases all around the world
20:06 and are aware of incidents.
20:09 What I can tell you is force protection
20:11 is always a priority at our DOD installations.
20:15 I just don't have more to share on this particular incident.
20:17 Whenever an incident like this happens,
20:19 it usually starts an investigation process,
20:23 and I just wouldn't be able to speak to that from here.
20:25 -Is the Secretary confident in the safety and security
20:28 of US military bases,
20:30 not only in this country but around the world?
20:31 -He is. -And can you confirm
20:33 that he was briefed on this incident?
20:36 -I can tell you, Lucas, that he tracks many different things
20:39 all around the world.
20:41 I will tell -- I'm not gonna get into specific things
20:43 that he's briefed on on a daily basis,
20:45 but what I can tell you is the Secretary
20:47 receives regular updates from what is happening
20:49 within the US and all around the world,
20:51 whether it be at our bases or with our service members.
20:54 -Does the Secretary of Defense think the southern border
20:56 is secure for the United States?
20:57 -I would refer you to the Department of Homeland Security
21:00 to speak more to that.
21:01 This is the Department of Defense.
21:02 Yeah. -Yeah, hi.
21:04 I'm Daniele Compatangelo for Italian La Sette.
21:07 -I also know who you are. -Okay.
21:09 Now you do.
21:11 So if you can talk a little bit about, if you learn,
21:14 the Pentagon have learned something about the meeting
21:18 on President Putin and Xi Jinping
21:20 in terms of the tools that the Chinese
21:24 are providing to the Russians towards Ukraine
21:28 in terms of weapons and technologies.
21:32 -I just don't have more for you right now.
21:34 We have certainly been very public about our --
21:38 We've been very outspoken about any country
21:41 who wants to come to the aid of Russia
21:43 is coming to the aid of a country
21:44 that invaded its sovereign neighbor.
21:47 But I just don't have more to share at this time.
21:49 Yeah.
21:50 -So the US and Israeli militaries
21:52 have reached a security arrangement
21:53 that ensures categorically the safety
21:56 of everyone in the marshaling area.
21:58 Why is it so difficult, then, to also ensure
22:02 that the Israelis don't bomb the aid convoys
22:04 leaving the marshaling area, given the close coordination?
22:07 Why is that so difficult to get a categorical assurance
22:10 that they won't bomb these convoys
22:12 as they have so many others?
22:13 -Yeah, I don't think it's a matter of difficulty.
22:16 We've set up two deconfliction cells,
22:19 one in Cyprus and one in Israel.
22:21 And you have folks from the UN, from USAID,
22:25 from the US military, and from the IDF embedded together,
22:29 sitting next to each other in these cells,
22:32 working to ensure that there is deconfliction
22:35 happening as these trucks leave the marshaling area.
22:39 So that's exactly what we are solving for.
22:41 And we shouldn't see -- We should not see --
22:45 And we don't want to see what has happened previously.
22:48 We want to be able to see humanitarian aid
22:50 reach those who need it most
22:52 in the most efficient manner possible.
22:53 -The USAID spokesperson said yesterday
22:55 that he wasn't satisfied yet
22:57 with the deconfliction arrangements yet.
23:00 And then he added that the maritime corridor is exposed --
23:05 We do not think that the jaylots,
23:06 that the maritime corridor is exposed to any additional risk
23:09 above and beyond that which is already present in Gaza.
23:12 That's pretty frightening, isn't it,
23:14 given how many people have been killed?
23:15 -I don't think we've come up here with rose-colored glasses
23:18 and said that we're not -- This is not a risk.
23:21 This is an active war zone.
23:23 What we -- If I could just finish.
23:25 So we have had assurances from the IDF
23:28 that they will provide security to U.S.
23:30 forces that are operating on and set up
23:34 that temporary floating causeway.
23:38 We will also have a presence of a destroyer in the region
23:42 to ensure that U.S. forces are protected.
23:46 We take force protection very seriously.
23:47 We would not have done an --
23:50 put together a mission like this in coordination with USAID
23:53 without thinking about our forces that are going to be --
23:56 that could potentially be in harm's way.
23:58 -What about the aid workers?
24:00 Where's that sort of -- -So, again, I'm going to tell you
24:03 what I said earlier at the top
24:05 when you asked me that exact same question.
24:07 We have two deconfliction cells set up,
24:09 one in Cyprus, one in Israel.
24:11 We have aid workers.
24:12 We have U.N. workers, USAID, U.S. military,
24:16 IDF sitting together in a cell for the exact question
24:21 that you're asking to deconflict on these important issues.
24:24 All right, moving on. Yeah.
24:25 -Thank you very much, Sabrina.
24:28 Jalil Afridi from the Frontier Post.
24:30 First of all, I want to say a quick thank you
24:31 to the Pentagon team for these nine years,
24:33 the way they have treated me so nicely.
24:36 My first question is about the rumors.
24:39 A Pakistani senator has said
24:41 that there was a drone attack in Pakistan.
24:44 Can you confirm if the U.S.
24:46 has conducted a drone attack in Pakistan?
24:48 -I don't have anything for you on that.
24:51 -Regarding Afghanistan, because of my stroke,
24:54 I didn't come for so many years, last couple of years,
24:55 so this question has been on my heart for a long time.
24:59 Since 2001, when the U.S. went to Afghanistan,
25:02 from the first veteran who gave his life for this country
25:05 to the last ones at Kabul Airport
25:07 at the attack, the 11th serviceman who died,
25:11 I have published it myself, the news stories on front page.
25:15 And I never -- It's an honor for every veteran
25:17 to give his life for this country.
25:18 But that last-day incident at the airport
25:21 where the 11th serviceman lost his life,
25:23 I believe that the U.S.
25:24 military should have lodged an investigation into Ashraf Ghani
25:29 and Hamdullah Mohib for having contacted us with Taliban.
25:34 And this question I've been wanting to ask the Pentagon
25:36 for a long time, that a journalist from that region,
25:39 for 25 years, having hung out with the U.S. soldiers in Kabul
25:43 in their restaurants and reporting for so long,
25:47 would you support any investigation like this or no?
25:50 >> So what I can tell you about when it came to the withdrawal
25:53 of Afghanistan is there have now been two different investigations
25:57 into what exactly happened.
26:00 And I'd refer you to U.S. Central Command for that.
26:04 We have done extensive -- We've done --
26:07 They, I should say, U.S. Central Command,
26:09 has conducted extensive interviews with people
26:12 that were involved in that operation
26:14 that were there that day.
26:16 I can't -- I'm just -- At this moment, I just --
26:18 I'm not going to be able to read out all the findings
26:19 from that investigation.
26:21 But it is on their website, and I direct you to that.
26:23 All right.
26:24 Yeah, over here.
26:26 >> Thanks, Sabrina.
26:27 So last week to CNN, President Biden said that he made it clear
26:30 that if the Israeli government goes into Rafa,
26:33 I will not be supplying weapons
26:35 that have been used historically to deal with cities.
26:38 Of course, we've seen the Israelis use tanks
26:40 in urban centers throughout this war.
26:42 And in the latest arms package, which was --
26:44 which is now on its way, expected to be approved,
26:47 and was after Biden issued that statement,
26:49 is 700 million in tank ammunition.
26:52 So this statement appears to be false.
26:54 Is it the Pentagon's assessment that tanks will not be used
26:57 in the invasion of Rafa?
26:58 >> I think you're significantly oversimplifying things.
27:02 So what I would tell you to do is to do a little homework
27:06 on the package that was approved,
27:08 and that this is long-term sales that will be going to Israel,
27:12 and the State Department would have more for you on that.
27:15 In terms of operating within an urban area, the Secretary,
27:20 the President, have been very clear that these type
27:22 of high-payload bombs, the 2,000-pound bombs,
27:27 it's not necessary to be used in an urban area like Rafa.
27:31 We are still -- and I want to be very clear --
27:33 we are still providing Israel the means to defend itself
27:36 against its fight against Hamas,
27:38 and you are still seeing shipments
27:40 of weapon systems going to Israel,
27:43 and will continue to go through.
27:45 That is a commitment this President has made.
27:48 But when it comes to that one shipment,
27:51 that one shipment is paused.
27:52 >> Okay, but in the shipment
27:54 that is not paused is 700 million in tank munitions,
27:58 and are you saying that -- I can read you the Biden quote again.
28:00 I just read it to you.
28:02 >> You don't have to.
28:03 I know it.
28:04 >> Okay, you said we're not going to supply weapons
28:06 that have been --
28:07 >> Yeah, you don't have to read it to me.
28:08 I would direct you to --
28:09 >> -- used in cities, or you said tanks haven't been used
28:11 in cities in Gaza.
28:12 >> I would direct you to the State Department for more
28:13 on the sales.
28:15 That has to do with sales to Israel.
28:16 I just don't have that in front of me.
28:17 Riyo.
28:19 >> So we are providing --
28:20 >> I'm going to move on to the next question.
28:21 >> Thank you, Sabrina.
28:22 My question is on China.
28:24 Today, Assistant Secretary Dr. Ratner spoke with PRC Office
28:25 of International Military Corporation Director.
28:28 Given today's call, do you think China is willing to engage
28:31 in high-level defense discussions with the U.S. side?
28:35 >> Well, that was certainly a commitment that was made
28:37 at the summit back in California last year
28:41 with the President, and you saw a commitment from this building
28:46 to want to continue to engage in those military
28:49 to military communications.
28:51 So we will engage when we can with our PRC counterparts,
28:55 but I just don't have any other additional calls
28:58 to read out today.
29:00 Yeah. Sorry, Laura.
29:02 >> Yeah. Thanks.
29:03 Totally different subject.
29:05 General Brown said apparently on his way to Brussels today,
29:08 I think, that it is inevitable
29:10 that NATO will send trainers into Ukraine.
29:13 Is the U.S. currently planning
29:14 to send American military trainers to Ukraine?
29:17 >> Not to my knowledge.
29:19 We do do training for Ukrainians,
29:22 whether it be at Grafenwoehr or elsewhere.
29:24 And we have trained thousands upon thousands of soldiers
29:31 as part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine,
29:35 but I'm not aware of us sending any trainers to Ukraine.
29:39 >> So you're not aware of what General Brown was talking about?
29:41 >> I'm not aware.
29:42 I haven't seen those comments, so yeah.
29:44 Thanks. Tara, do you have one more,
29:45 and then we'll go to the back and wrap up.
29:46 >> Sure. Tomorrow, Senior Airman Roger
29:49 of Forsen's family will bury him.
29:51 Has the Secretary reached out to the family, and if not, why not?
29:56 And has he thought about having a wider discussion
30:00 with Black service members about their thoughts
30:02 about this shooting?
30:03 >> Yeah. No.
30:05 Thanks, Tara, for the question.
30:06 And obviously a very heavy subject, and something
30:12 that the Secretary is, of course, very much aware of.
30:15 I don't have any calls to read out to you right now.
30:18 I don't have any engagements for this, like, to announce
30:22 that the Secretary is doing across the force,
30:24 but what I can tell you, and what the Secretary has committed
30:27 to from the very beginning, is one of his priorities,
30:29 which is taking care of people.
30:32 He believes that our, you know, forces should be taken care of,
30:37 and that means if, whether that's seeking help,
30:40 whether that means talking about it, whether that means,
30:43 you know, talking to your command about it,
30:45 he wants to make sure those resources are available,
30:47 and they are available.
30:48 But I just don't have more to share at this time.
30:50 Yeah. Yes, in the back.
30:52 >> John Seward from Notice.
30:53 Two questions on Israel.
30:55 One, a previous training operation using JLOTS
31:00 with the Republic of Korea had a much higher throughput,
31:03 and so just wondering what the bottleneck is specific
31:05 to this situation.
31:07 And then the second, can you speak a little bit
31:10 to the makeup of the military support that's continuing
31:13 to flow to Israel, aside from the GBUs
31:16 and JLOTS that have been held back?
31:18 >> I don't have more in terms of, like, more specifics.
31:21 We've continued to provide, whether it be ammunition
31:24 or air defenses, things that they need to continue
31:27 to defend themselves against attacks, whether it be from Iran
31:30 that you saw last month, or from Hamas.
31:34 But I would direct you to the State Department more
31:36 when it comes to FMS and FMF, the sales.
31:41 In terms of the actual capacity to roll on, roll off of JLOTS,
31:49 this is going to be incremental.
31:52 It's going to start slow, and it's going to get larger
31:55 as more aid continues to come in as well.
31:57 I think the maximum that we'll be able
32:00 to do is 150 trucks a day.
32:02 You know, you have to think about also the size
32:06 of the marshalling area, the size of Gaza,
32:08 and then how many aid truck drivers you actually have,
32:12 UN truck drivers you have to distribute that aid.
32:15 That all plays a factor
32:16 in how much aid can actually get distributed.
32:19 So I don't want to necessarily --
32:21 I don't want to compare it to other exercises or other times
32:24 that we've been able to do this.
32:25 All I can tell you is we're scaling it as fast as we can,
32:29 and we're trying to get humanitarian aid
32:32 in as quickly as possible.
32:34 But it is going to scale up over time.
32:36 >> Sounds like the bottleneck is due
32:39 to mostly partner capabilities in the situation on the ground,
32:41 not US capability to actually offload.
32:44 >> I would say that there's a bottleneck.
32:45 Again, we have to make sure that everything operates
32:49 and is seamless, so you're going to see us, again,
32:51 go from that crawl, walk, run.
32:53 It's going to start off small and scale up.
32:55 And as more aid comes in, you're going to see us, you know,
32:58 have this be pretty routine and more trucks getting into Gaza.
33:01 I think we had one more, Ellie, and then I will wrap up.
33:04 >> Yeah, and responding to Oren, you said, I think,
33:07 something like we don't support ongoing operations in Rafa.
33:11 Are you saying that -- and maybe I missed this --
33:13 that the Pentagon doesn't support what Israel's doing
33:15 in Rafa right now?
33:18 >> Let me give you a little more context.
33:20 So we don't support operations in Rafa without a credible plan
33:25 to take care of that humanitarian population
33:27 that's there.
33:30 That population being over 1 million people,
33:33 we so far have not seen a credible plan to protect
33:38 that large population that's there while the IDF conducts
33:42 operations in Rafa.
33:44 We fully support going after Hamas.
33:48 We fully support making sure that Hamas is defeated.
33:52 But again, that is something that we have not seen a credible
33:56 plan to protect those civilians down there.
33:59 Okay.
34:00 >> Why aren't U.S. forces partnering with the Israelis
34:03 to rescue those five American citizens still being held
34:06 hostage by Hamas?
34:09 >> We are not putting boots on the ground in Gaza.
34:12 We have been very clear with our intent that we want
34:17 to see all the hostages released
34:18 that are currently being held by Hamas.
34:21 The President was very clear, though.
34:23 There's going to be no boots on the ground.
34:25 We are supporting Israel by providing intelligence to help
34:32 with the hostage rescue and recovery.
34:35 That is something we committed to from the beginning
34:37 of the war, and while you might not have been here
34:39 in this briefing room, we did actually announce that.
34:42 And that commitment remains.
34:43 We do want to see those hostages released.
34:46 You're seeing engagements across this administration
34:48 to see how we can get to securing a hostage deal.
34:51 We know that's the best way forward
34:53 to release those hostages.
34:54 And of course, to eventually get to a ceasefire.
34:56 All right.
34:58 Thank you, everyone.