Pentagon urges Israel to protect civilians in Gaza as military chiefs meet at time of high tensions

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Pentagon official says U.S. and Israeli defense leaders met for about 90 minutes and discussed the need to have a well-planned military operation to defeat Hamas in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah that would unfold in phases to protect civilians and the ongoing delivery of aid. It’s unclear what impact the meeting will have on Israeli combat plans or if it calmed the growing strains between the two nations. U.S. leaders have consistently warned against a ground invasion and pressed for an alternative, more precise operation. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said before Tuesday’s meeting that he and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant would address alternative ways to target Hamas in Rafah.