WEBVTT 00:00.790 --> 00:02.790 All right . Well , good afternoon , 00:02.790 --> 00:04.957 everyone . Uh Just a few things at the 00:04.957 --> 00:06.679 top and I'll get right to your 00:06.679 --> 00:09.119 questions . So as you're aware , 00:09.130 --> 00:11.640 Secretary Austin hosted the 22nd 00:11.649 --> 00:13.760 Ukraine defense contact group meeting 00:13.760 --> 00:15.705 yesterday where he highlighted the 00:15.705 --> 00:17.816 urgent need to support Ukraine amid a 00:17.816 --> 00:20.038 challenging and dangerous fight against 00:20.038 --> 00:21.799 a new Russian offensive . He 00:21.809 --> 00:23.920 underscored the extraordinary courage 00:23.920 --> 00:26.142 of Ukrainian defenders and the critical 00:26.142 --> 00:27.976 role of the some 50 nations that 00:27.976 --> 00:30.198 comprise the contact group in providing 00:30.198 --> 00:32.309 essential capabilities to the defense 00:32.309 --> 00:34.198 of Ukraine through eight separate 00:34.198 --> 00:36.420 capability . Coalitions . The secretary 00:36.420 --> 00:38.309 also emphasized the importance of 00:38.309 --> 00:40.531 ongoing assistance and co ordination to 00:40.531 --> 00:43.220 ensure Ukraine's long term security as 00:43.229 --> 00:45.290 well as our continued laser focus on 00:45.299 --> 00:47.077 Ukraine's near term battlefield 00:47.077 --> 00:50.029 requirements separately . Earlier today , 00:50.040 --> 00:51.930 Secretary Austin hosted Finnish 00:51.939 --> 00:54.540 Minister of Defense anti Hakkinen here 00:54.549 --> 00:56.327 at the Pentagon for a bilateral 00:56.327 --> 00:58.160 discussion on the strong defense 00:58.160 --> 01:00.493 relationship between the US and Finland . 01:00.493 --> 01:02.327 The two leaders reaffirmed their 01:02.327 --> 01:04.549 commitment to nato's collective defense 01:04.549 --> 01:06.771 and addressed current European security 01:06.771 --> 01:08.549 challenges particularly Russian 01:08.549 --> 01:11.059 aggression . Secretary Austin praised 01:11.069 --> 01:13.291 Finland's role in regional security and 01:13.291 --> 01:15.458 within NATO and both leaders committed 01:15.458 --> 01:17.625 to deepening our strategic partnership 01:17.625 --> 01:19.736 to ensure regional stability read out 01:19.736 --> 01:21.958 will be posted to the dod website later 01:21.958 --> 01:24.239 today . Looking further ahead into the 01:24.250 --> 01:26.417 week , Secretary Austin will travel to 01:26.417 --> 01:28.361 Annapolis Maryland on Friday where 01:28.361 --> 01:30.528 he'll provide the commencement address 01:30.528 --> 01:32.250 to the US Naval Academy's 2024 01:32.250 --> 01:34.472 graduating class of our newly appointed 01:34.472 --> 01:36.417 US Navy ensigns and Marine Corps . 01:36.417 --> 01:38.194 Second Lieutenants commencement 01:38.199 --> 01:40.421 ceremony ceremony will be live streamed 01:40.421 --> 01:43.470 on defense.gov and switching gears to a 01:43.480 --> 01:46.139 couple of operational updates to date . 01:46.150 --> 01:49.489 Over 569 metric tons of humanitarian 01:49.500 --> 01:51.559 assistance has been delivered across 01:51.569 --> 01:54.040 the temporary pier or J Lots to Gaza 01:54.050 --> 01:55.606 for further distribution by 01:55.606 --> 01:57.828 humanitarian partners . With more aid . 01:57.828 --> 01:59.919 On the way , this humanitarian 01:59.930 --> 02:01.874 assistance has been donated by the 02:01.874 --> 02:03.930 United States , United Kingdom , UAE 02:03.930 --> 02:06.208 European Union and many other partners . 02:06.360 --> 02:08.582 And as you've heard us say previously , 02:08.582 --> 02:10.638 the pier is a temporary solution and 02:10.638 --> 02:12.527 contribution as part of a broader 02:12.527 --> 02:14.193 international effort to surge 02:14.193 --> 02:16.416 humanitarian assistance to Gaza to meet 02:16.416 --> 02:18.416 the urgent needs of the Palestinian 02:18.416 --> 02:20.749 people . As J Lot's operations continue , 02:20.749 --> 02:22.749 we'll be sure to provide updates as 02:22.749 --> 02:24.416 appropriate on this important 02:24.416 --> 02:26.527 international humanitarian endeavor . 02:26.527 --> 02:28.582 And finally , four US Air Force B 52 02:28.582 --> 02:30.638 stratofortress aircraft and deployed 02:30.638 --> 02:32.582 airmen began a routine bomber task 02:32.582 --> 02:34.582 force deployment to the US European 02:34.582 --> 02:36.638 command area of operations this week 02:37.100 --> 02:39.729 operating out of the UK , Sraf Fairford . 02:39.740 --> 02:41.919 These aircraft deployed for minot air 02:41.929 --> 02:44.151 force base in North Dakota will provide 02:44.151 --> 02:46.040 numerous training and operational 02:46.040 --> 02:48.289 opportunities alongside NATO allies and 02:48.300 --> 02:50.410 regional partners . This deployment 02:50.419 --> 02:52.641 underscores the US commitment to nato's 02:52.641 --> 02:54.720 collective deterrence and defense of 02:54.729 --> 02:56.562 the Euro Atlantic region against 02:56.562 --> 02:58.789 hostile actors . The bomber task force 02:58.800 --> 03:00.856 in Europe is part of a large part of 03:00.856 --> 03:04.839 large scale global exercise 2024 which 03:04.850 --> 03:07.419 enhances us joint forces training with 03:07.429 --> 03:09.350 allies to address global security 03:09.360 --> 03:12.210 challenges . Excuse me , for further 03:12.220 --> 03:14.276 questions . I'd refer to us European 03:14.276 --> 03:16.276 command public affairs and also I'd 03:16.276 --> 03:18.442 like to thank Aaron Sport Space Forces 03:18.442 --> 03:20.498 magazine for watching our left flank 03:20.498 --> 03:22.664 over here . Thanks Chris . Uh And with 03:22.664 --> 03:26.169 that , we'll go ahead and uh go to a P 03:26.179 --> 03:29.949 first . Thanks um over 03:29.960 --> 03:33.770 here on the other plane . Um um some of 03:33.779 --> 03:35.960 the aid that has come off the pier , 03:35.970 --> 03:37.914 there was difficulty in getting it 03:37.914 --> 03:40.026 distributed . Uh Over the last couple 03:40.026 --> 03:41.914 of days , some of the trucks were 03:41.914 --> 03:44.081 overrun by uh people trying to uh pull 03:44.081 --> 03:46.081 the aid off , et cetera . Is the US 03:46.081 --> 03:48.248 concerned that some of that aid is not 03:48.248 --> 03:50.414 actually to the warehouses and thus to 03:50.414 --> 03:52.470 the distribution point . And are you 03:52.470 --> 03:54.610 aware of any steps that either the US 03:54.619 --> 03:56.841 or our allies and other coordinators on 03:56.841 --> 03:59.008 the ground are taking in order to kind 03:59.008 --> 04:01.230 of improve this process at this point ? 04:01.230 --> 04:03.809 Yeah , thanks Lida . So actually , yes , 04:03.820 --> 04:06.199 a few updates on that front . So there 04:06.210 --> 04:08.460 have been discussions between the US 04:08.470 --> 04:11.770 Israel United Nations as well as joint 04:11.779 --> 04:14.559 efforts to identify alternative routes 04:14.570 --> 04:16.880 for the safe movement of staff and 04:16.890 --> 04:20.559 cargo . Uh And so uh movements from 04:20.570 --> 04:23.559 the temporary facility from the , the 04:23.570 --> 04:25.792 assembly area that have resumed today . 04:26.000 --> 04:28.359 Uh And so we do anticipate that 04:28.369 --> 04:30.591 assistance will be distributed in the , 04:30.600 --> 04:32.711 the coming days here , of course , uh 04:32.711 --> 04:35.720 conditions permitting . Uh And so , you 04:35.730 --> 04:37.897 know , as we move forward on this , uh 04:37.897 --> 04:40.589 the , the safety and security uh of all 04:40.600 --> 04:42.839 the uh humanitarian assistance 04:42.850 --> 04:44.961 organizations is gonna continue to be 04:45.119 --> 04:47.286 uh critical . Uh And we'll continue to 04:47.286 --> 04:49.286 work closely with the international 04:49.286 --> 04:51.619 community on that front . Uh Ultimately , 04:51.619 --> 04:53.619 the goal of course is to get this , 04:53.619 --> 04:55.619 this humanitarian assistance to the 04:55.619 --> 04:57.730 Palestinian people who need it most . 04:57.730 --> 04:59.952 Just a quick um follow , I just want to 04:59.952 --> 05:02.175 make sure on the 569 that you gave us , 05:02.175 --> 05:04.649 is that as of today or yesterday , uh 05:04.670 --> 05:06.726 that is as of this briefing , I know 05:06.726 --> 05:08.670 that more AIDS coming . So there , 05:08.670 --> 05:10.614 there may be updated numbers later 05:10.614 --> 05:12.670 today , but that's as , as uh what I 05:12.670 --> 05:12.670 have as of coming into this briefing 05:12.679 --> 05:15.299 right now . Yeah , Natasha , thanks Pat . 05:15.309 --> 05:18.200 So originally the plan was to , I mean , 05:18.209 --> 05:20.376 according to senior military officials 05:20.376 --> 05:22.487 who were briefed on this start off by 05:22.487 --> 05:24.542 getting roughly 90 trucks per day of 05:24.542 --> 05:26.929 aid into Gaza and then scaling up to 05:26.940 --> 05:29.107 ultimately 150 trucks per day . But it 05:29.107 --> 05:32.769 seems that as of today , only about 05:32.779 --> 05:34.835 26 total trucks have gotten in since 05:34.835 --> 05:37.225 Friday including 14 yesterday and some 05:37.234 --> 05:39.567 of them of course have been intercepted . 05:39.567 --> 05:41.975 So why are more trucks not making it 05:42.105 --> 05:44.515 across the causeway into Gaza at this 05:44.524 --> 05:46.691 point . Yeah . So a couple of things , 05:46.691 --> 05:48.691 Natasha . So first of all , I would 05:48.691 --> 05:50.913 emphasize , you know , a key point that 05:50.913 --> 05:53.246 you just made that is aid is flowing in . 05:53.355 --> 05:55.411 Uh and that's additional aid for the 05:55.411 --> 05:57.355 people of Gaza . And so that's a , 05:57.355 --> 05:59.244 that's a very good thing . Uh The 05:59.244 --> 06:01.466 second thing is I would highlight , you 06:01.466 --> 06:03.688 know , again , for additional context , 06:03.688 --> 06:05.688 this is , it's just over three days 06:05.688 --> 06:07.911 since uh J Lot's first went operational 06:07.911 --> 06:10.022 and we've already been able to push , 06:10.022 --> 06:12.133 as I mentioned , over 596 metric tons 06:12.133 --> 06:15.079 of aid for onward delivery into Gaza 06:15.140 --> 06:17.570 more on the way . Um And again , it's 06:17.579 --> 06:19.801 also important to remember that this is 06:19.801 --> 06:21.929 a combat zone , uh , and that it is a 06:21.940 --> 06:25.410 complex operation . Uh And so , you 06:25.420 --> 06:27.531 know , we've been very clear from the 06:27.531 --> 06:29.587 beginning that we're going to take a 06:29.587 --> 06:31.642 crawl walk run approach to make sure 06:31.642 --> 06:33.809 that we are implementing the system in 06:33.809 --> 06:35.864 a way where we're working out , uh , 06:35.864 --> 06:38.031 the , the processes , the procedures , 06:38.031 --> 06:39.920 uh , and in including taking into 06:39.920 --> 06:42.087 account the security conditions . So I 06:42.087 --> 06:44.253 think you're going to see , uh , as we 06:44.253 --> 06:46.420 work together , uh , the amount of aid 06:46.420 --> 06:48.364 increase and the ability to get it 06:48.364 --> 06:50.364 distributed increase , but we never 06:50.364 --> 06:52.420 said it was gonna be easy . I mean , 06:52.420 --> 06:54.476 again , the circumstances that we're 06:54.476 --> 06:56.809 dealing with here are , are challenging . 06:56.809 --> 06:59.087 Uh , but the bottom line is that we're , 06:59.087 --> 06:58.440 we're taking action now and we're 06:58.450 --> 07:01.350 focused on what we can do to help save 07:01.359 --> 07:03.829 the lives of , of those in Gaza who 07:03.839 --> 07:05.783 need this aid . And so that's what 07:05.783 --> 07:08.006 we'll continue to stay focused on aid . 07:08.006 --> 07:09.950 Kind of waiting to flow across the 07:09.950 --> 07:11.839 causeway is the , is the , is dod 07:11.839 --> 07:14.006 essentially um holding back the number 07:14.006 --> 07:13.540 of trucks because there's not the 07:13.549 --> 07:16.170 logistical . No . So aid aid , as you 07:16.179 --> 07:18.290 know , as you , as we've talked about 07:18.290 --> 07:20.401 aid will be delivered to the floating 07:20.401 --> 07:22.623 pier , then transported uh via logistic 07:22.623 --> 07:24.457 support vessels delivered to the 07:24.457 --> 07:26.579 causeway and then put into assembly 07:26.589 --> 07:29.799 areas uh on shore . And that's where 07:29.809 --> 07:32.279 NGO S pick up that aid and then further 07:32.290 --> 07:34.660 distribute it . So , uh to my knowledge , 07:34.670 --> 07:36.940 there's no stoppage . Uh Again , as we 07:36.950 --> 07:39.006 mentioned , this is gonna be a crawl 07:39.006 --> 07:41.061 walk , run approach and you're gonna 07:41.061 --> 07:43.228 see those numbers increase in the days 07:43.228 --> 07:45.450 ahead . Let me go to a LA and then I'll 07:45.450 --> 07:44.880 come to town . Thank you . I just 07:44.890 --> 07:46.700 wanted to follow up on Leda and 07:46.709 --> 07:50.010 Natasha's questions . Um So you say 07:50.019 --> 07:52.480 that aid is continuing to flow through , 07:52.489 --> 07:54.545 but it's , it's sort of at this very 07:54.545 --> 07:56.880 small slow pace . So is there a backlog 07:56.890 --> 07:59.029 somewhere like is aid coming into the 07:59.040 --> 08:01.207 marshaling area and then getting stuck 08:01.207 --> 08:03.429 there for a while or can you explain to 08:03.429 --> 08:05.484 us where all this aid is right now ? 08:06.209 --> 08:09.230 The aid is in the assembly areas uh 08:09.239 --> 08:11.739 onshore , right ? So it's , it's taken , 08:11.809 --> 08:14.031 uh So the military , the US military is 08:14.031 --> 08:16.087 delivering it to the causeway , it's 08:16.087 --> 08:18.989 then taken by non us contractors driven 08:19.000 --> 08:20.778 over on the shore , put into an 08:20.778 --> 08:23.589 assembly area which is where uh the NGO 08:23.600 --> 08:25.600 S that are supporting this effort , 08:25.600 --> 08:27.489 pick it up and take it for onward 08:27.489 --> 08:29.656 distribution . Uh But as I mentioned , 08:29.656 --> 08:31.878 uh you know , via some discussions that 08:31.878 --> 08:33.822 have happened again as we work out 08:33.822 --> 08:36.109 processes and procedures , alternative 08:36.119 --> 08:38.175 routes for the safe movement of that 08:38.175 --> 08:41.239 cargo have been established . Uh And uh 08:41.359 --> 08:43.479 aid is now being taken from those 08:43.489 --> 08:46.908 assembly areas to , to warehouses uh 08:46.919 --> 08:49.299 for further distribution throughout 08:49.309 --> 08:52.299 Gaza . When you say that 569 metric 08:52.309 --> 08:54.749 tons have gotten in , do you mean that 08:54.758 --> 08:56.980 they've gotten ? That's what we brought 08:56.980 --> 08:59.036 to . That's correct . That's what we 08:59.036 --> 09:01.109 have delivered onto the shore for 09:01.119 --> 09:03.969 further distribution uh elsewhere 09:03.979 --> 09:07.950 throughout Gaza . Ok . And let me go to 09:07.960 --> 09:09.770 Tom and then can you give us a 09:09.780 --> 09:11.891 breakdown ? How many trucks that is ? 09:12.179 --> 09:14.960 And also um how many trucks were sort 09:14.969 --> 09:17.150 of overwhelmed by people just grabbing 09:17.369 --> 09:20.059 the humanitarian aid ? And finally , on 09:20.070 --> 09:22.181 the causeway itself , who's providing 09:22.181 --> 09:24.348 security for that causeway ? Is it the 09:24.348 --> 09:26.514 Israelis ? Is it private security ? Uh 09:26.514 --> 09:29.700 who is , who is that ? Yeah , so a 09:29.710 --> 09:31.932 couple of things there , Tom . So first 09:31.932 --> 09:33.988 of all , um you know , I I would , I 09:33.988 --> 09:36.739 would caution you aga uh around getting 09:36.750 --> 09:38.806 focused on the number of trucks that 09:38.806 --> 09:41.710 are going back and forth from an LSV to 09:41.719 --> 09:43.719 the shore , right ? I mean , it's a 09:43.719 --> 09:45.941 continuous circuit . So the focus is on 09:45.941 --> 09:48.052 the amount of aid , the uh the amount 09:48.052 --> 09:50.163 of trucks is irrelevant to the amount 09:50.163 --> 09:52.275 of aid that's going to be delivered , 09:52.275 --> 09:55.039 uh you know , uh out into the 09:55.049 --> 09:56.827 communities . And again , let's 09:56.827 --> 09:58.938 differentiate between the trucks that 09:58.938 --> 10:00.827 are taking it from the end of the 10:00.827 --> 10:02.882 causeway to the assembly area . It's 10:02.882 --> 10:05.049 two different things , right ? Once it 10:05.049 --> 10:07.216 gets to the assembly area , it will be 10:07.216 --> 10:09.271 loaded onto trucks and , and that is 10:09.271 --> 10:11.349 managed by the NGO S will that will 10:11.359 --> 10:13.710 then take it off to other warehouses 10:13.719 --> 10:15.608 throughout Gaza for , for further 10:15.608 --> 10:17.608 distribution . Ok . So there's that 10:17.608 --> 10:19.775 piece . So when I'm talking about over 10:19.775 --> 10:22.770 596 metric tons , that is what uh the 10:22.780 --> 10:25.002 US military has been able to deliver to 10:25.002 --> 10:27.169 the end of the causeway and then taken 10:27.169 --> 10:29.289 by contractors into the assembly area 10:29.659 --> 10:32.469 um in terms of security . So it's a , 10:32.479 --> 10:34.929 it's a multi I , I'm not gonna get into 10:34.940 --> 10:36.996 uh super specifics here , but it's , 10:36.996 --> 10:40.719 it's multi uh uh pronged . You've 10:40.729 --> 10:42.830 got uh the Israelis , of course , 10:42.840 --> 10:45.549 providing security on the shore also at 10:45.559 --> 10:48.919 sea . Uh And you also have uh you know , 10:48.929 --> 10:51.096 us military personnel that are able to 10:51.096 --> 10:53.207 defend themselves if they needed to , 10:53.207 --> 10:55.429 although they're not obviously going on 10:55.429 --> 10:57.596 to the shore . Uh And then you also in 10:57.596 --> 10:59.818 the , in the maritime area , there have 10:59.818 --> 11:01.780 uh us destroyers that are also uh 11:01.799 --> 11:03.855 patrolling and , and able to provide 11:03.855 --> 11:06.429 security . So it's a , it's a a multi 11:07.059 --> 11:09.599 uh step process there in terms of 11:09.609 --> 11:11.869 providing security , getting back to 11:11.880 --> 11:14.102 the metric tons . It would be helpful . 11:14.102 --> 11:16.324 I think if we do apples and apples , if 11:16.324 --> 11:18.324 you're talking 90 trucks and you're 11:18.324 --> 11:20.324 gonna go up to 150 it would just be 11:20.324 --> 11:22.491 helpful for everybody . I think if you 11:22.491 --> 11:24.900 just say 40 trucks got in today . Yeah , 11:24.969 --> 11:27.900 I think , I think what you're again , 11:27.909 --> 11:31.039 so look as the amount of aid increases 11:31.049 --> 11:33.200 into the delivery of the causeway and 11:33.210 --> 11:35.154 you start to ramp up the number of 11:35.154 --> 11:37.830 trucks that are taking the aid off the 11:37.840 --> 11:39.951 end of the causeway and delivering it 11:39.951 --> 11:42.173 to the assembly areas . I mean , that's 11:42.173 --> 11:44.780 an interesting factoid but it doesn't 11:44.789 --> 11:47.200 change what the ultimate endeavor here 11:47.210 --> 11:49.099 is , which is to get humanitarian 11:49.099 --> 11:51.630 assistance to the people of Gaza . So 11:52.000 --> 11:54.111 you know , the the real key statistic 11:54.111 --> 11:56.270 here is how much aid is being brought 11:56.280 --> 11:58.520 on to the shore and then ultimately 11:58.530 --> 12:01.190 delivered throughout Gaza via the NGO S 12:01.200 --> 12:03.422 to the people of Gaza . So , you know , 12:03.422 --> 12:05.367 again , we'll continue to keep you 12:05.367 --> 12:07.422 updated on that front . I think what 12:07.422 --> 12:09.533 you'll see again is as this pier , uh 12:09.710 --> 12:12.549 you know , continues to to move towards 12:12.559 --> 12:14.615 full operational capability . You'll 12:14.615 --> 12:16.615 start to see more aid coming in and 12:16.615 --> 12:18.392 you'll start to see the numbers 12:18.392 --> 12:20.559 increase in terms of the amount of aid 12:20.559 --> 12:20.390 that's brought into the assembly area , 12:20.830 --> 12:22.608 the truck issue , how many were 12:22.608 --> 12:24.663 overwhelmed by Palestinians grabbing 12:24.663 --> 12:26.774 this stuff , you know , um you know , 12:26.774 --> 12:28.900 I've seen the reports um about um 12:28.909 --> 12:31.109 civilians uh along some of the 12:31.119 --> 12:33.119 transportation routes out in Gaza . 12:33.119 --> 12:35.341 Again , importantly , not , this is not 12:35.341 --> 12:37.230 in the causeway , it's not in the 12:37.230 --> 12:39.286 assembly areas , is out in Gaza . Um 12:39.440 --> 12:41.599 You know , once it left that maritime 12:41.609 --> 12:44.250 marshaling area , uh I think we can all 12:44.260 --> 12:47.450 agree that that demonstrates uh the 12:47.630 --> 12:49.890 importance of making sure that we can 12:49.900 --> 12:52.510 continue to get aid into Gaza . Uh you 12:52.520 --> 12:54.687 know , not only by maritime routes but 12:54.687 --> 12:56.409 also by land routes uh and the 12:56.409 --> 12:58.742 desperation that's out there . So again , 12:58.742 --> 13:01.169 um as I mentioned earlier , there's 13:01.179 --> 13:03.290 been discussions today to look at how 13:03.290 --> 13:05.859 we can get that aid , how the NGO S can 13:05.869 --> 13:08.309 get that aid out into uh where it's 13:08.320 --> 13:10.880 needed most . So , but I I to answer 13:10.890 --> 13:12.723 your question , I don't have the 13:12.723 --> 13:14.723 specific numbers , Liz , thanks Pat 13:14.723 --> 13:16.612 Israeli . Officials seized camera 13:16.612 --> 13:18.723 equipment belonging to the associated 13:18.723 --> 13:20.779 press . They said the A P violated a 13:20.779 --> 13:22.779 new media law . Does the US support 13:22.779 --> 13:25.112 that move ? Of ? Of course not . I mean , 13:25.112 --> 13:27.279 I've seen those press reports . Um You 13:27.279 --> 13:29.390 know , we , we obviously support uh a 13:29.390 --> 13:31.501 free and independent press being able 13:31.501 --> 13:33.668 to do its job to tell uh the world the 13:33.668 --> 13:36.001 news about what's happening . And so no , 13:36.001 --> 13:38.223 Harry Austin , talk about this with his 13:38.223 --> 13:40.168 counterpart . Uh I'm not gonna get 13:40.168 --> 13:42.279 ahead of , of any discussions that we 13:42.279 --> 13:43.946 have . But again , from a dod 13:43.946 --> 13:46.168 standpoint standpoint , we've been very 13:46.168 --> 13:48.334 clear on our support uh for a free and 13:48.334 --> 13:51.559 independent press . Yes , sir . Since 13:51.570 --> 13:53.792 you were holding on the four over , I'm 13:53.792 --> 13:56.126 proud to be joined by all my colleagues . 13:56.126 --> 13:59.859 Um Now , now that uh J Lots is in place , 13:59.869 --> 14:03.570 um is the plan uh to continue uh us 14:03.580 --> 14:06.549 airdrops for a period of time ? Um The 14:06.559 --> 14:08.429 airdrops have been primarily in 14:08.440 --> 14:10.919 northern Gaza along the shore where J 14:11.000 --> 14:14.400 Lots is generally in place . Um So will 14:14.409 --> 14:16.270 there be any adjustments to the 14:16.280 --> 14:19.760 airdrops um such as new drop zones uh 14:19.770 --> 14:22.390 to reach uh different parts of Gaza , 14:22.400 --> 14:24.567 is that under consideration ? Yeah , I 14:24.567 --> 14:26.733 don't , I don't have any announcements 14:26.733 --> 14:28.733 to make in terms of changes today , 14:28.733 --> 14:30.789 Chris . Uh I mean , certainly as you 14:30.789 --> 14:32.789 highlight airdrops are an option uh 14:32.789 --> 14:34.844 that we have used and are using . Uh 14:34.844 --> 14:36.567 but I don't , I don't have any 14:36.567 --> 14:38.678 announcements to make in terms of any 14:38.678 --> 14:40.733 shifts on in that . Uh If , if we do 14:40.733 --> 14:42.900 obviously keep you posted , that's for 14:42.900 --> 14:45.011 the time being that's planned to keep 14:45.011 --> 14:47.122 going the air drops . Yeah , I mean , 14:47.122 --> 14:47.030 again , it's an option that we have 14:47.039 --> 14:49.261 available to us and we've done airdrops 14:49.261 --> 14:51.261 again , whether that continues well 14:51.261 --> 14:53.372 into the future . Uh It will keep you 14:53.372 --> 14:55.372 posted . Ok , let me just go to the 14:55.372 --> 14:57.483 phone here real quick . Uh idris from 14:57.483 --> 14:59.595 Reuters about a couple of questions . 14:59.595 --> 15:01.706 Firstly , just so it's clear how many 15:01.706 --> 15:04.520 tons of aid um , have been delivered 15:04.530 --> 15:06.697 from the marshaling area to the UN and 15:06.697 --> 15:09.099 how many tons remain in that sort of 15:09.109 --> 15:10.969 holding area off the pier . And 15:10.979 --> 15:13.146 secondly , in these discussions , have 15:13.146 --> 15:15.679 you talked about um , any potential 15:15.690 --> 15:17.840 sort of protection , um whether it's 15:17.849 --> 15:19.750 armed guards or otherwise for the 15:19.760 --> 15:22.000 convoys because presumably these new 15:22.010 --> 15:24.400 routes will be figured out . Um , given 15:24.409 --> 15:26.719 the desperation of people in Gaza and , 15:26.729 --> 15:28.896 and might be overwhelmed against . Has 15:28.896 --> 15:31.007 there been any other talks other than 15:31.007 --> 15:33.229 just changing the route ? Yeah , thanks 15:33.229 --> 15:35.062 Idris . Uh So , you know , as it 15:35.062 --> 15:38.409 relates to uh the , the aid deliveries 15:38.419 --> 15:42.400 um by um the NGO S 15:42.409 --> 15:44.576 that are supporting this uh you know , 15:44.576 --> 15:46.798 I'd I'd really have to refer you to USA 15:46.798 --> 15:48.520 ID . I I just don't have those 15:48.520 --> 15:50.465 statistics with me right now as as 15:50.465 --> 15:52.576 mentioned , um I am tracking , we are 15:52.576 --> 15:56.119 tracking uh that um movements uh 15:56.130 --> 15:59.359 have begun to put additional aid , put 15:59.369 --> 16:01.591 some of that aid into warehouses uh for 16:01.591 --> 16:04.530 onward distribution uh within Gaza . Uh 16:04.539 --> 16:07.919 So again , uh at it for free USA ID on 16:07.929 --> 16:10.040 that front and then similarly , as it 16:10.040 --> 16:13.809 relates to providing security uh for 16:13.820 --> 16:16.020 those NGO S , you know , that , that , 16:16.030 --> 16:18.799 that again is a , is a topic uh that , 16:18.809 --> 16:20.476 that really comes down to the 16:20.476 --> 16:22.609 preferences of those NGO S as I 16:22.619 --> 16:25.309 mentioned . Uh There continue to be 16:25.320 --> 16:27.729 ongoing discussions uh with , with 16:27.739 --> 16:30.770 Israel uh with the UN and the groups 16:30.780 --> 16:32.613 involved in terms of how best to 16:32.613 --> 16:34.780 support them when it comes to ensuring 16:34.780 --> 16:36.947 that aid can be distributed . And as I 16:36.947 --> 16:38.947 mentioned , you know , one of those 16:38.947 --> 16:41.002 approaches is , uh using alternative 16:41.002 --> 16:43.169 routes . Um , but it's really best for 16:43.169 --> 16:45.391 them to talk about their preferences in 16:45.391 --> 16:47.613 terms of , uh , of how they prefer , uh 16:47.613 --> 16:49.669 to have security , uh , as they , as 16:49.669 --> 16:51.891 they conduct their routes . Again , you 16:51.891 --> 16:54.169 know , obviously us military is not in , 16:54.169 --> 16:56.336 involved in that particular piece , in 16:56.336 --> 16:58.280 terms of escorting , you know , we 16:58.280 --> 16:57.849 don't have any forces on the ground . 16:57.859 --> 17:00.081 Um , but obviously something that we're 17:00.081 --> 17:02.989 continuing to , to monitor . Um but um 17:03.080 --> 17:05.302 you know , again , I'd refer you to USA 17:05.302 --> 17:07.413 ID on that one . Let me go to uh Jeff 17:07.413 --> 17:10.188 Shog task and purpose . Thank you . 17:10.198 --> 17:13.168 Just a quick clarification . 1st 569 or 17:13.178 --> 17:17.119 596 metric tons and the second is uh 17:17.129 --> 17:19.379 an expert has said that the Russians 17:19.389 --> 17:22.938 now have 510,000 troops uh 17:22.948 --> 17:25.718 involved in the war with Ukraine . The 17:25.729 --> 17:27.698 expert is from the Royal United 17:27.708 --> 17:29.764 Services Institute . I'm wondering , 17:29.764 --> 17:33.698 can dod confirm that number or , or say 17:33.708 --> 17:36.609 that's about right ? 510,000 . Yeah , 17:36.619 --> 17:39.250 thanks . Uh Jeff . So to clarify , um 17:39.260 --> 17:42.569 it's 569 metric tons . 17:43.099 --> 17:46.140 Um If I , if I said 96 I apologize . 17:46.150 --> 17:49.109 It's 569 . Um And then I'm sorry , can 17:49.119 --> 17:51.810 you say your second question again ? Uh 17:51.819 --> 17:54.479 Sure . Uh an expert with the Royal 17:54.489 --> 17:56.869 United Services Institute has estimated 17:56.880 --> 17:59.670 the Russians now have 510,000 troops 17:59.680 --> 18:01.939 involved in the war in Ukraine , which 18:01.949 --> 18:03.838 is much more than was part of the 18:03.838 --> 18:06.619 initial invasion can dod say . Is that 18:06.630 --> 18:09.469 figure ? Does that sound right ? Yeah , 18:09.479 --> 18:11.701 thanks Jeff . Um , so I don't , I don't 18:11.701 --> 18:13.979 have a specific number to provide other 18:13.989 --> 18:16.211 than to say , you know , that , that we 18:16.211 --> 18:18.378 do know that there's tens of thousands 18:18.378 --> 18:20.600 of Russian forces inside Ukraine , uh , 18:20.600 --> 18:22.500 continuing to , uh , you know , 18:22.510 --> 18:24.843 depending on where they're located , uh , 18:24.843 --> 18:27.066 down near Kharkiv , of course , uh they 18:27.066 --> 18:29.160 have uh are conducting a renewed 18:29.170 --> 18:33.099 offensive uh making some um small 18:33.109 --> 18:35.520 gains . Um And then of course , forces 18:35.530 --> 18:37.863 along that whole forward line of troops , 18:37.863 --> 18:40.141 but I , I'm just not able to provide a , 18:40.141 --> 18:42.363 a specific number for you . Thank you . 18:42.363 --> 18:44.530 Let me come back into the room . Yes . 18:44.530 --> 18:46.586 Thank you staying in the region . Um 18:46.586 --> 18:48.859 Can you please uh confirm general that 18:48.869 --> 18:51.319 the United States military was asked to 18:51.329 --> 18:54.079 assist with the Iranian search and 18:54.089 --> 18:57.760 rescue operations on Sunday ? Um So I'd , 18:57.770 --> 18:59.881 I'd have to refer you to , yeah , I'd 18:59.881 --> 19:01.992 have to refer you to State Department 19:01.992 --> 19:03.937 on that . Uh I , I know from a dod 19:03.937 --> 19:06.048 standpoint , we were not requested to 19:06.048 --> 19:08.214 provide any support now . So I'd , I'd 19:08.214 --> 19:10.437 refer you to state . I , I believe they 19:10.437 --> 19:12.603 had some comments to that effect , but 19:12.603 --> 19:12.500 I don't have anything if I can have a 19:12.510 --> 19:15.130 follow up the fact that it was um a 19:15.140 --> 19:17.307 Turkish surveillance drawing of a NATO 19:17.307 --> 19:19.251 country that ended up locating the 19:19.251 --> 19:21.029 crash out of a , of the Iranian 19:21.029 --> 19:23.029 presidential helicopter . What does 19:23.029 --> 19:24.973 that , what does that say ? Do you 19:24.973 --> 19:27.415 think about Iran's capabilities in the 19:27.425 --> 19:29.425 region that they couldn't have been 19:29.425 --> 19:31.755 located their own ? Yeah , I mean , I 19:31.765 --> 19:33.765 appreciate the question . I'm , you 19:33.765 --> 19:35.765 know , not going to comment on , on 19:35.765 --> 19:37.376 what their search and rescue 19:37.376 --> 19:39.709 capabilities are or not . Um , you know , 19:39.709 --> 19:42.185 certainly it's not unusual to request 19:42.194 --> 19:44.474 assistance from neighbors in these 19:44.484 --> 19:46.817 types of situations . And so , you know , 19:46.817 --> 19:48.873 I just leave it there . Let me go to 19:48.873 --> 19:50.984 Janie and I'll come back to the other 19:50.984 --> 19:54.010 room . Thank you , General uh on the 19:54.020 --> 19:57.079 Russia and China Russian President 19:57.089 --> 19:59.359 Putin and the Chinese President Xi 19:59.430 --> 20:02.479 Jinping said during their meeting last 20:02.489 --> 20:05.869 week that they opposed threatening 20:05.880 --> 20:09.380 actions in the military field by the 20:09.390 --> 20:13.300 United States and its allies . And the 20:13.310 --> 20:16.489 Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said 20:16.500 --> 20:20.349 again today that United States and 20:20.359 --> 20:23.949 its allies are escalating tensions on 20:23.959 --> 20:27.130 Korean Peninsula provoking 20:27.140 --> 20:31.069 confrontation with North Korea . 20:31.199 --> 20:34.670 How will the Pentagon reaction to this ? 20:35.459 --> 20:37.849 Uh Well , you know , I'm not going to 20:37.859 --> 20:40.550 comment , comment on anything said by 20:40.560 --> 20:42.671 the Russian Foreign Minister . What I 20:42.671 --> 20:45.209 will do is highlight that the peace , 20:45.219 --> 20:48.319 security and stability that the US rok 20:48.329 --> 20:50.496 alliance has brought to the region and 20:50.496 --> 20:53.310 beyond . Uh despite the provocations 20:53.319 --> 20:55.097 and rhetorical threats that are 20:55.097 --> 20:57.449 emanating from the D . Pr K uh really 20:57.459 --> 21:00.130 are testament to the relationship that 21:00.140 --> 21:03.390 our two countries have uh and towards 21:03.400 --> 21:06.020 the efforts that the US , Rok Japan and 21:06.030 --> 21:08.252 other allies and partners in the region 21:08.252 --> 21:10.310 have really done uh over many , many 21:10.319 --> 21:12.290 decades to uphold stability and 21:12.300 --> 21:14.300 security throughout the region . So 21:14.300 --> 21:16.356 we're going to continue to work with 21:16.356 --> 21:18.411 our allies towards that end . Uh And 21:18.411 --> 21:20.522 when it comes to our mutual defense , 21:20.522 --> 21:22.969 we'll continue to work with both the 21:22.979 --> 21:24.979 rok and the Japanese governments to 21:24.979 --> 21:27.160 address any threats that are posed by 21:27.170 --> 21:29.469 the D Pr K . And of course , as we've 21:29.479 --> 21:31.939 always said that we encourage the D Pr 21:31.949 --> 21:34.219 K to return to substantive discussions 21:34.229 --> 21:36.660 on identifying ways to manage those 21:36.670 --> 21:39.579 risks and to create a lasting peace on 21:39.589 --> 21:42.140 the Korean Peninsula . How can you say 21:42.150 --> 21:44.819 about the President Putin and President 21:44.829 --> 21:48.410 Xi Jinping who do not point out North 21:48.420 --> 21:52.010 Korea's continued beside launch and 21:52.020 --> 21:55.170 dangerous behavior . Uh You know , 21:55.180 --> 21:58.069 again , I , I think um the , the 21:58.079 --> 22:00.589 relationship uh that we see developing 22:00.599 --> 22:04.079 between North Korea and Russia uh is 22:04.089 --> 22:06.699 certainly concerning . Uh and I , and I 22:06.709 --> 22:09.079 think we see uh in many ways , you know , 22:09.089 --> 22:13.079 Russia , uh looking to , to help 22:13.089 --> 22:16.079 bolster its ability to conduct its 22:16.089 --> 22:18.033 illegal and aggressive campaign in 22:18.033 --> 22:21.010 Ukraine . Uh And so , you know , I just 22:21.020 --> 22:23.359 think it's uh indicative of the 22:23.369 --> 22:25.036 situation that they find them 22:25.036 --> 22:27.202 themselves in . But again , what we're 22:27.202 --> 22:29.258 going to stay focused on is regional 22:29.258 --> 22:31.313 security and stability , not only in 22:31.313 --> 22:33.258 the Indo Pacific region , but also 22:33.258 --> 22:35.258 throughout Europe . And we're gonna 22:35.258 --> 22:37.313 work with our like minded allies and 22:37.313 --> 22:39.480 partners to prevent broader conflict . 22:39.480 --> 22:41.880 Uh And again , uh try to send a strong 22:41.890 --> 22:45.449 signal that the kind of bullying and 22:45.459 --> 22:47.515 provocative behavior that we've seen 22:47.515 --> 22:49.737 from Russia as it relates to Ukraine is 22:49.737 --> 22:51.737 not acceptable ? All right , let me 22:51.737 --> 22:53.959 move on constant . Thanks , Pat . Um So 22:53.959 --> 22:56.070 to your , to your point about sort of 22:56.070 --> 22:58.237 the J lots trucks and making apples to 22:58.237 --> 23:00.403 apples comparisons . Um Can you say on 23:00.403 --> 23:02.459 average how much one truckload ? How 23:02.459 --> 23:05.020 many tons that is just so that we can 23:05.030 --> 23:08.359 get a sense of and then um the 23:08.369 --> 23:10.400 569 metric tons , are you able to 23:10.410 --> 23:12.466 estimate how many people that , that 23:12.466 --> 23:16.030 aid is able to feed ? Um Let me take 23:16.040 --> 23:18.040 those questions for you . I I don't 23:18.040 --> 23:20.262 have them in front of me . Thanks Lou . 23:20.262 --> 23:22.579 Yeah . Um early on um two points um 23:23.250 --> 23:25.859 early on you when we announced when the 23:25.869 --> 23:29.219 United States announced J Lots um from 23:29.229 --> 23:31.560 the podium , it was said that between 23:31.569 --> 23:34.739 90 100 and 50 trucks equivalents that 23:34.750 --> 23:37.000 would ramp up to or be the same as 2 23:37.010 --> 23:40.280 million meals a day . Are you stepping 23:40.290 --> 23:42.849 back from th those comparisons that you 23:42.859 --> 23:45.026 made based on your new comment today ? 23:45.026 --> 23:47.192 That you're Yeah , because what , what 23:47.192 --> 23:46.900 we're talking about here is a 23:46.910 --> 23:50.060 capability . And again , I think if we , 23:50.069 --> 23:52.291 you know , and again , I mean , I fully 23:52.291 --> 23:54.013 understand the interest in the 23:54.013 --> 23:56.069 statistics and you know , and that , 23:56.069 --> 23:58.236 that all makes sense and , and again , 23:58.236 --> 23:59.958 we'll continue to provide that 23:59.958 --> 24:01.958 information . But if we take a step 24:01.958 --> 24:04.180 back here and look at the the forest of 24:04.180 --> 24:06.402 the trees . This is a capability . It's 24:06.402 --> 24:08.569 essentially another avenue by which we 24:08.569 --> 24:11.119 can get aid into Gaza . Uh you know , 24:11.130 --> 24:13.760 despite all of the challenges as it 24:13.770 --> 24:16.060 pertains to land routes and , and land 24:16.069 --> 24:18.140 crossings , uh it provides another 24:18.150 --> 24:20.206 mechanism by which the international 24:20.206 --> 24:22.317 community can get aid into Gaza . And 24:22.317 --> 24:24.483 so that is , that is the the strategic 24:24.483 --> 24:26.428 goal here , right is to be able to 24:26.428 --> 24:28.660 facilitate the delivery of that aid . 24:29.130 --> 24:31.290 Uh And so as it , as it relates to J 24:31.319 --> 24:33.541 lots , uh what we're talking about it , 24:33.541 --> 24:35.939 it has the capacity to do that . And so 24:35.949 --> 24:37.727 as we continue to work with the 24:37.727 --> 24:40.119 international community and receive 24:40.130 --> 24:42.500 additional aid and start to be able to , 24:42.520 --> 24:45.800 to get that outward , um I think you'll 24:45.810 --> 24:49.030 see those , those numbers go up but 24:49.040 --> 24:51.339 reaching the 90 to 100 and 50 that you 24:51.349 --> 24:53.405 said from the podium or I mean , has 24:53.405 --> 24:55.571 the capacity to do that , right ? So , 24:55.571 --> 24:57.793 I mean , that's again , what we'll work 24:57.793 --> 25:00.071 towards and , and of course , you know , 25:00.071 --> 25:02.182 as more aid comes in , we'll we'll do 25:02.182 --> 25:04.405 that . Um Obviously you have to pick up 25:04.405 --> 25:06.571 the aid from Cyprus and , and that aid 25:06.571 --> 25:08.738 has to be there . And so again , as we 25:08.738 --> 25:10.960 continue to work with the international 25:10.960 --> 25:13.127 community and , and partners that want 25:13.127 --> 25:15.293 to use that avenue of approach , so to 25:15.293 --> 25:17.405 speak , um it'll have the capacity to 25:17.405 --> 25:19.405 do that and the other at the United 25:19.405 --> 25:21.293 Nations , US representative , the 25:21.293 --> 25:21.280 United Nations talked about how last 25:21.290 --> 25:24.459 week Russia launched an anti satellite 25:24.469 --> 25:28.069 weapon , potentially the same , same 25:28.079 --> 25:31.020 altitude as an American uh satellite . 25:31.030 --> 25:33.197 Um Is this a concern ? Can you confirm 25:33.197 --> 25:35.308 that information that is presented at 25:35.308 --> 25:37.474 the United Nations ? And what is the , 25:37.474 --> 25:39.670 what is the message uh if you have a ? 25:40.050 --> 25:43.930 Yeah , so um and what I'm tracking here 25:43.939 --> 25:45.828 is on May 16th , as you highlight 25:45.828 --> 25:47.883 Russia launched a satellite into low 25:47.883 --> 25:49.969 earth orbit . Uh that we , that we 25:49.979 --> 25:52.260 assess is likely a counter space weapon 25:52.599 --> 25:54.900 uh presumably capable of attacking 25:54.910 --> 25:57.021 other satellites in low earth orbit . 25:57.119 --> 25:59.119 Uh Russia deployed this new counter 25:59.119 --> 26:01.230 space weapon into the same orbit as a 26:01.230 --> 26:03.229 US government satellite . And so 26:03.239 --> 26:04.859 assessments further indicate 26:05.329 --> 26:07.790 characteristics resembling previously 26:07.800 --> 26:10.022 deployed counter space payloads uh from 26:10.022 --> 26:13.910 2019 and 2022 . Um And 26:13.920 --> 26:15.753 so , you know , obviously that's 26:15.753 --> 26:18.087 something that will continue to monitor . 26:18.087 --> 26:20.910 Uh Certainly we would say that uh we 26:20.920 --> 26:22.976 have a responsibility to be ready to 26:22.976 --> 26:25.510 protect and defend uh the domain , the 26:25.520 --> 26:27.687 space domain and ensure continuous and 26:27.687 --> 26:29.853 uninterrupted support to the joint and 26:29.853 --> 26:32.349 combined force . Um And we'll continue 26:32.359 --> 26:34.303 to balance the need to protect our 26:34.303 --> 26:36.470 interests and space with our desire to 26:36.470 --> 26:38.692 preserve a stable and sustainable space 26:38.692 --> 26:40.859 environment does pose a threat to that 26:40.859 --> 26:42.526 government satellite , the US 26:42.526 --> 26:44.526 government satellite right now . Um 26:44.526 --> 26:46.650 Well , it's a counter space weapon in 26:46.660 --> 26:48.549 the same orbit as a US government 26:48.549 --> 26:52.000 satellite . So , yes , sir . 26:52.670 --> 26:55.130 Uh yesterday we heard the secretary on 26:55.140 --> 26:57.310 his views about striking targets in 26:57.319 --> 26:59.486 Russia with American weapons . But can 26:59.486 --> 27:01.597 you explain why Ukrainians cannot use 27:01.597 --> 27:03.969 those capabilities to strike back and 27:03.979 --> 27:06.146 respond to these attacks ? But not for 27:06.146 --> 27:08.146 Russian . I mean , we know that the 27:08.146 --> 27:10.201 Pentagon does not support that , but 27:10.201 --> 27:10.180 what's the reasoning behind this 27:10.189 --> 27:12.650 approach ? Well , you know , look , uh 27:12.660 --> 27:14.993 as the secretary highlighted , you know , 27:14.993 --> 27:18.859 our policy hasn't changed , um we are 27:18.869 --> 27:20.758 focused on providing Ukraine with 27:20.758 --> 27:22.813 capabilities that it needs to defend 27:22.813 --> 27:25.160 itself uh within Ukraine uh Ukrainian 27:25.170 --> 27:27.569 sovereign territory . Uh And so , you 27:27.579 --> 27:29.690 know , we understand that we're going 27:29.690 --> 27:31.912 to continue to have those conversations 27:31.912 --> 27:34.079 with our Ukrainian partners as well as 27:34.079 --> 27:36.301 our international allies and partners . 27:36.301 --> 27:38.135 Uh when it comes to the kinds of 27:38.135 --> 27:40.135 capabilities to include air defense 27:40.135 --> 27:42.246 that Ukraine needs to defend itself . 27:42.246 --> 27:44.357 So I'm just going to leave it there . 27:44.357 --> 27:46.579 Secretary also said that aerial dynamic 27:46.579 --> 27:48.635 is a little bit different . So could 27:48.635 --> 27:50.915 you please clarify that ? Does this 27:50.925 --> 27:53.584 mean that restrictions do not apply to 27:53.665 --> 27:55.887 air defense ? And Ukraine basically can 27:55.887 --> 27:57.832 strike targets that are in Russian 27:57.832 --> 27:59.887 territory with those area defenses ? 27:59.887 --> 28:01.998 Yeah . So , you know , again , as the 28:01.998 --> 28:04.109 secretary highlighted , I'm , I'm not 28:04.109 --> 28:06.332 going to get into picking apart a bunch 28:06.332 --> 28:08.387 of different scenarios . Again , the 28:08.387 --> 28:10.276 strategic intent here is enabling 28:10.276 --> 28:12.498 Ukraine to defend itself and defend its 28:12.498 --> 28:14.832 sovereign territory . And so , you know , 28:14.832 --> 28:16.887 if and when we have anything else to 28:16.887 --> 28:18.943 provide on that certainly will , but 28:18.943 --> 28:18.719 I'm just going to leave it there . Yes , 28:18.729 --> 28:20.840 sir . Thank you very much . General . 28:20.840 --> 28:22.896 Uh , my first question is about this 28:22.896 --> 28:25.062 lady , Doctor Afia Viki . She has been 28:25.062 --> 28:27.340 in the US prison for the last 15 years . 28:27.340 --> 28:30.050 Uh , she was accused of killing us 28:30.060 --> 28:33.339 soldiers in Afghanistan but , uh , uh , 28:33.349 --> 28:36.359 no , us soldier was killed . Uh , a US 28:36.369 --> 28:38.410 lawyer , British American lawyer , 28:38.420 --> 28:40.819 Clive Stor Smith went to Afghanistan 28:40.829 --> 28:43.349 just last week to , uh , provide some 28:43.359 --> 28:45.699 more , uh , evidence that she had no 28:45.709 --> 28:49.119 role or uh , she's innocent . Uh , the 28:49.130 --> 28:51.469 lady is half dead . Uh I've been 28:51.479 --> 28:54.339 raising voice for her , uh , release . 28:54.349 --> 28:56.880 Can the secretary look into this , uh , 28:56.890 --> 28:58.989 lady's issue ? And , uh , because I 28:59.000 --> 29:00.944 feel like this whole bureaucracy , 29:00.944 --> 29:03.160 bureaucratic issue is hurtling her 29:03.170 --> 29:05.969 release . Yeah , I appreciate the 29:05.979 --> 29:08.640 question familiar with the Siddiqui 29:08.650 --> 29:10.872 case , but I'd have to refer you to the 29:10.872 --> 29:13.094 Department of Justice for any questions 29:13.094 --> 29:15.150 on that . Just one word . And if you 29:15.150 --> 29:16.983 can keep it short , please , the 29:16.983 --> 29:19.219 Pakistan and the US recently had a 29:19.270 --> 29:22.265 security talks and the handout they 29:22.275 --> 29:24.625 released was the last two words were 29:24.635 --> 29:27.275 global security and fight against Isis 29:27.594 --> 29:29.650 on this podium when General mckenzie 29:29.650 --> 29:31.705 was here , I had asked him six years 29:31.705 --> 29:33.483 ago , seven years ago that ISIS 29:33.483 --> 29:35.538 fighters were coming to Pakistan , I 29:35.538 --> 29:37.483 mean to Afghanistan and that whole 29:37.483 --> 29:40.385 bordering region . Do you see a new 29:40.395 --> 29:43.744 level of global terrorism again rising 29:43.755 --> 29:46.015 from that region in the shape of ISIS 29:46.025 --> 29:49.050 now ? Well , I mean ISIS K has been a , 29:49.060 --> 29:51.116 a threat in the region for a while . 29:51.116 --> 29:53.004 It's , it's one of many terrorist 29:53.004 --> 29:54.838 groups that we know , operate uh 29:54.838 --> 29:57.116 throughout that region . And of course , 29:57.116 --> 29:58.782 uh the US and Pakistan have a 29:58.782 --> 30:01.469 counterterrorism uh cooper operation uh 30:01.479 --> 30:04.359 effort that's been long standing . And 30:04.369 --> 30:07.089 so certainly as it relates to regional 30:07.099 --> 30:09.189 threats , like uh ISIS or other 30:09.199 --> 30:11.199 terrorist groups , you know , we'll 30:11.199 --> 30:12.921 continue to , to work with our 30:12.921 --> 30:15.032 Pakistani partners uh to confront and 30:15.032 --> 30:17.088 address that issue . Um I think it's 30:17.088 --> 30:19.199 just one of those things that we have 30:19.199 --> 30:21.421 to continue to take seriously . And the 30:21.421 --> 30:23.477 last thing I'd say is if you look at 30:23.477 --> 30:23.119 our national defense strategy , it 30:23.130 --> 30:26.660 recognizes the fact uh that countering 30:26.670 --> 30:28.726 violent extremist organizations like 30:28.726 --> 30:30.948 ISIS will continue to be important part 30:30.948 --> 30:33.114 of our national defense strategy . Let 30:33.114 --> 30:35.226 me go to Joseph and then I'll come to 30:35.226 --> 30:37.670 fight . I got one on Russia and one on 30:37.680 --> 30:39.839 Gaza , the Russian and I'm sorry if I 30:39.849 --> 30:42.016 missed this earlier , but the Russians 30:42.016 --> 30:43.960 announced that they had started uh 30:43.960 --> 30:45.905 tactical nuclear weapons exercises 30:45.905 --> 30:48.127 today . Do you guys have any comment on 30:48.127 --> 30:50.016 that ? Is there any uh heightened 30:50.016 --> 30:52.182 concern that they could be potentially 30:52.182 --> 30:54.349 use nuclear weapons in the near term ? 30:54.349 --> 30:56.460 And then , uh secondly , can you talk 30:56.460 --> 30:58.793 about or elaborate on any updated plans ? 30:58.793 --> 31:00.793 The Israelis have provided you with 31:00.793 --> 31:02.905 potential larger scale or large scale 31:02.905 --> 31:05.016 invasion of Rafa ? Yeah , on the , on 31:05.016 --> 31:07.300 the Russian exercises . Um I don't , 31:07.310 --> 31:09.477 don't have anything additional provide 31:09.477 --> 31:12.619 again . Um You know , we , we've seen 31:12.630 --> 31:15.819 that rhetoric , uh in terms of the 31:15.829 --> 31:17.885 threat to use nuclear weapons , it's 31:17.885 --> 31:20.599 irresponsible uh inappropriate . Uh And 31:20.609 --> 31:22.498 I'll just leave it there uh as it 31:22.498 --> 31:25.390 relates to Rafa uh uh to my knowledge , 31:25.400 --> 31:27.819 uh the Israelis have not provided us 31:27.829 --> 31:29.996 with a , a more detailed understanding 31:29.996 --> 31:32.107 although those conversations continue 31:32.107 --> 31:35.270 as you know , uh um Mr Sullivan , uh 31:35.280 --> 31:37.180 the national security adviser was 31:37.189 --> 31:40.640 recently is in Israel . Um but to my 31:40.650 --> 31:42.317 knowledge , uh don't have any 31:42.317 --> 31:44.483 additional information on that front . 31:44.483 --> 31:46.594 And what we do see in Rafah continues 31:46.594 --> 31:49.670 to be limited operation near the Rafah 31:49.680 --> 31:52.530 Gate . Is there any concern that the 31:52.540 --> 31:55.130 decision by the IC C couldn't beat on 31:55.140 --> 31:56.918 any potential travel by Israeli 31:56.918 --> 31:59.209 officials here . I'm not tracking any 31:59.219 --> 32:01.441 concerns in that regard Fadi . So thank 32:01.441 --> 32:03.552 you general , I believe you said this 32:03.552 --> 32:06.219 operation , the causeway , it's three 32:06.229 --> 32:09.359 days , right ? March 17th was the first 32:09.369 --> 32:11.670 day of on Friday . So today is Tuesday 32:11.680 --> 32:13.902 night in the region . So it's been five 32:13.902 --> 32:16.013 days . See , that's what happens when 32:16.013 --> 32:18.013 you work here at Dod . I don't even 32:18.013 --> 32:20.124 know what day it is . 500 . Thank you 32:20.124 --> 32:22.319 for pointing that out and 69 metric 32:22.329 --> 32:24.829 tons . Is it , am I accurate to say 32:24.900 --> 32:27.011 zero has been delivered to the people 32:27.011 --> 32:30.069 of Gaza ? So far you'd have to check 32:30.079 --> 32:32.135 with uh the World Food Program . I I 32:32.135 --> 32:34.190 know that aid is getting in but it's 32:34.190 --> 32:36.079 not accurate that no aid has been 32:36.079 --> 32:38.301 delivered . You know , we've been doing 32:38.301 --> 32:40.301 airdrops . Uh We've been helping to 32:40.301 --> 32:42.301 facilitate aid coming over the rand 32:42.301 --> 32:44.412 clan crossings . But the causeway has 32:44.412 --> 32:46.412 been able to get uh over 569 metric 32:46.412 --> 32:48.246 tons of aid into Gaza for onward 32:48.246 --> 32:50.680 delivery . So yes , very shortly . I 32:50.689 --> 32:52.689 think you'll see aid starting to be 32:52.689 --> 32:55.400 delivered delivered right as of today , 32:55.510 --> 32:58.949 as of today , I do not believe so . And 32:59.650 --> 33:01.430 is Israel you said Israel is 33:01.439 --> 33:03.495 cooperating on this trying to help ? 33:03.495 --> 33:05.606 But it seems from what you said , the 33:05.606 --> 33:07.772 desperation of people created security 33:07.772 --> 33:09.995 issues for the distribution of aid from 33:09.995 --> 33:11.606 the assembly area . And that 33:11.606 --> 33:13.828 desperation is related to the fact that 33:13.828 --> 33:16.599 Israel is shutting down uh aid routes , 33:16.609 --> 33:18.331 right ? So we're shifting from 33:18.331 --> 33:20.553 questions to editorializing . I'm gonna 33:20.553 --> 33:22.498 go ahead and go to somebody else . 33:22.498 --> 33:24.665 Let's go to Tom Watkins , the National 33:24.665 --> 33:26.831 Thanks General . Um Yeah , a couple of 33:26.831 --> 33:30.050 questions . Um If I may so NBC and the 33:30.060 --> 33:32.890 New York Times reported um that there 33:32.900 --> 33:35.910 was very nearly a , a transfer of 11 or 33:35.920 --> 33:39.469 12 detainees from Gitmo . Um But then 33:39.479 --> 33:41.368 October the seventh happened . Uh 33:41.368 --> 33:43.949 You're able to , to confirm that . Uh 33:43.959 --> 33:46.170 And then my second question is , um 33:46.180 --> 33:48.402 does Secretary Austin have any reaction 33:48.402 --> 33:50.513 to the um IC C prosecutor seeking the 33:50.513 --> 33:53.500 arrest warrant for um Y Gallant ? And 33:53.510 --> 33:55.454 has the secretary um spoken to him 33:55.454 --> 33:58.599 since that ? Yeah . Thanks Tom on the 33:58.609 --> 34:02.339 uh on the uh Guantanamo question . 34:02.569 --> 34:04.900 Um obviously saw those press reports . 34:04.910 --> 34:07.077 I'll have to take that question uh for 34:07.077 --> 34:09.379 you . Uh the secretary has not spoken 34:09.389 --> 34:11.689 to his Israeli counterpart , although 34:11.699 --> 34:13.810 as you know , they speak frequently . 34:13.810 --> 34:15.477 Uh so , you know , uh I would 34:15.477 --> 34:17.199 anticipate that he'll have the 34:17.199 --> 34:19.143 opportunity to speak to him soon . 34:19.143 --> 34:21.255 Don't have anything to announce right 34:21.255 --> 34:20.780 now , but certainly we'll , we'll 34:20.790 --> 34:22.790 provide a read out as it relates to 34:22.790 --> 34:25.149 that conversation . All right , come 34:25.159 --> 34:27.270 back into the room here . Yes , sir . 34:27.270 --> 34:29.179 Thank you General . A couple of 34:29.189 --> 34:31.189 questions on Iran . Do you have any 34:31.189 --> 34:34.030 information about exactly what caused 34:34.040 --> 34:35.984 the Iranian President's helicopter 34:35.984 --> 34:38.739 crash ? And secondly , do you expect 34:38.750 --> 34:42.050 any foreign uh policy change from Iran ? 34:42.060 --> 34:45.330 Especially from supporting this pro um 34:45.340 --> 34:47.989 So no , we don't have any insight into 34:48.000 --> 34:50.111 what caused the helicopter crash . Uh 34:50.111 --> 34:51.889 you know , a as was highlighted 34:51.889 --> 34:54.056 yesterday . Um We know that it's under 34:54.056 --> 34:56.278 investigation . So I'd have to refer to 34:56.278 --> 34:58.056 the Iranian authorities for any 34:58.056 --> 35:00.111 outcomes as it relates to that . And 35:00.111 --> 35:02.444 I'm sorry , your second question . Yeah . 35:02.444 --> 35:04.667 Do you expect any foreign policy change 35:04.667 --> 35:06.833 from Iran , especially from supporting 35:06.833 --> 35:08.889 it , privacies in Iraq ? Kind of see 35:08.889 --> 35:10.778 where going through . I'm not not 35:10.778 --> 35:12.833 tracking any changes in terms of our 35:12.833 --> 35:15.189 current foreign policy as it relates to 35:15.199 --> 35:19.189 Iran question from earlier . 35:19.199 --> 35:21.310 Did Russia communicate with the US at 35:21.310 --> 35:23.310 all that it was going to launch the 35:23.310 --> 35:25.479 anti satellite weapon ? And has there 35:25.489 --> 35:28.330 been any communication since I'm not 35:28.340 --> 35:30.451 aware of any communication ? But I'll 35:30.451 --> 35:32.729 have to take that question as you know , 35:32.729 --> 35:34.784 there's a process by which there are 35:35.510 --> 35:38.570 launches are conducted . Um So I have 35:38.580 --> 35:40.469 to take that question , Natasha , 35:40.469 --> 35:42.691 thanks Pat . I just have a follow up on 35:42.691 --> 35:42.560 the pier again . I'm trying to 35:42.570 --> 35:44.840 understand . So , last week , Admiral 35:44.850 --> 35:46.961 Cooper , I mean , previously , he had 35:46.961 --> 35:49.040 said that the goal was originally to 35:49.050 --> 35:51.879 start with 500 tons of aid moving 35:51.889 --> 35:54.570 across the causeway per day . We know 35:54.580 --> 35:56.802 that it's been what , four or five days 35:56.802 --> 35:58.913 now , it's been a total of 569 tons . 35:58.969 --> 36:01.080 None of it according to what you just 36:01.080 --> 36:03.191 said that you believe it has actually 36:03.191 --> 36:05.469 been delivered to the Palestinians yet . 36:05.469 --> 36:07.691 So it's the reason why that initial 500 36:07.691 --> 36:09.858 tons of aid per day is not being moved 36:09.858 --> 36:11.969 across the causeway because we're not 36:11.969 --> 36:13.969 seeing any of it be delivered yet , 36:13.969 --> 36:16.025 that stuff that we are moving to the 36:16.025 --> 36:18.025 Palestinians . And so we're kind of 36:18.025 --> 36:17.699 holding back or is there another reason 36:17.709 --> 36:20.360 why you haven't met that 500 tons per 36:20.370 --> 36:24.179 day goal yet ? So aid is taken to 36:24.189 --> 36:26.879 Cyprus where it's loaded onto ships . 36:26.929 --> 36:28.762 So the aid is coming from , as I 36:28.762 --> 36:30.818 mentioned , many different countries 36:31.189 --> 36:34.459 that aid is then put on to um larger 36:34.469 --> 36:36.636 ships and taken to the floating pier . 36:36.636 --> 36:38.810 Uh So again , part of that is going to 36:38.820 --> 36:40.987 be the amount of aid that is available 36:40.987 --> 36:43.209 to load onto those ships , taken to the 36:43.209 --> 36:45.376 floating pier and then trans loaded to 36:45.376 --> 36:49.360 the causeway . And so , um again , you 36:49.370 --> 36:51.481 know , I think you're going to see as 36:51.481 --> 36:53.592 this process works it out as more aid 36:53.592 --> 36:55.703 is delivered to Cyprus , you're going 36:55.703 --> 36:57.926 to see the amount of aid that's brought 36:57.926 --> 37:00.037 into Gaza increase . And to the point 37:00.037 --> 37:02.370 earlier , again , understanding that 37:02.379 --> 37:04.540 this is a multi prong international 37:04.550 --> 37:07.929 effort , uh this is a 37:07.939 --> 37:11.000 one aspect of getting international aid 37:11.010 --> 37:13.350 into Gaza . It's not the only delivery 37:13.360 --> 37:15.693 mechanism by which to get aid into Gaza . 37:15.693 --> 37:18.739 And so we're going to continue to make 37:18.750 --> 37:21.449 this a viable avenue of approach to be 37:21.459 --> 37:23.237 able to get aid to humanitarian 37:23.237 --> 37:25.330 organizations that will then provide 37:25.340 --> 37:27.719 that for , for outward delivery . Uh 37:27.729 --> 37:29.800 Again , as was highlighted earlier , 37:29.810 --> 37:31.810 you know , some of that initial aid 37:31.810 --> 37:34.000 that was brought in uh as it was being 37:34.010 --> 37:36.232 taken along a transportation route , uh 37:36.232 --> 37:39.479 was intercepted by some people uh who , 37:39.489 --> 37:41.489 you know , took that , that aid off 37:41.489 --> 37:43.711 those vehicles . Subsequently . There's 37:43.711 --> 37:45.790 been discussions by which to ensure 37:45.800 --> 37:47.911 that there's alternate routes so that 37:47.911 --> 37:50.244 it can be delivered to warehouses again , 37:50.244 --> 37:52.467 fully appreciating the desperation , uh 37:52.467 --> 37:54.522 but also fully appreciating the fact 37:54.522 --> 37:56.744 that it is very important that this aid 37:56.744 --> 37:58.689 get to the people who need it most 37:58.689 --> 38:00.633 that's going to continue to be the 38:00.633 --> 38:02.856 focus . So I understand , you know , uh 38:02.856 --> 38:05.078 the focus on why is this not working or 38:05.078 --> 38:07.022 why is that not working ? But what 38:07.022 --> 38:09.189 we're focused on is how we can work to 38:09.189 --> 38:11.356 ensure that the Palestinian people get 38:11.356 --> 38:13.578 the aid . So that's what we're going to 38:13.578 --> 38:15.744 stay focused on . Uh There's always in 38:15.744 --> 38:17.856 any operation of complexity . There's 38:17.856 --> 38:20.078 going to be challenges and hurdles that 38:20.078 --> 38:22.133 have to be overcome . That's what we 38:22.133 --> 38:24.133 specialize in overcoming and that's 38:24.133 --> 38:25.967 what we're gonna do . So again , 38:25.967 --> 38:28.078 appreciate the questions , appreciate 38:28.078 --> 38:30.189 the skepticism , but we're gonna make 38:30.189 --> 38:30.060 it happen and we're gonna get this food 38:30.070 --> 38:33.929 to the Palestinian people . Um Sorry to 38:33.939 --> 38:36.300 harp on the same point , but please 38:36.310 --> 38:39.050 harp on . So you're saying you said 38:39.060 --> 38:41.282 that some of the trucks got intercepted 38:41.409 --> 38:43.131 after they were taken from the 38:43.131 --> 38:45.353 marshaling area . And you said you were 38:45.353 --> 38:48.360 looking at alternative routes to 38:48.370 --> 38:50.703 distribute aid from the marshaling area . 38:50.703 --> 38:52.679 But I just don't understand why . 38:52.689 --> 38:54.750 What's the problem before getting to 38:54.760 --> 38:56.593 the marshaling area ? No problem 38:56.593 --> 38:58.649 getting to the marshall area . There 38:58.649 --> 39:00.704 had only been 569 metric tons of aid 39:00.704 --> 39:02.649 delivered to the marshaling area . 39:02.649 --> 39:04.816 That's how much aid has been delivered 39:04.816 --> 39:06.871 to the end of the pier to be brought 39:06.871 --> 39:08.871 into the marshaling area . Less aid 39:08.871 --> 39:11.038 flowing through Cyrus than you thought 39:11.038 --> 39:13.466 there would be . I don't have a flow 39:13.476 --> 39:15.875 chart that shows what aid is expected . 39:15.885 --> 39:17.941 And what's not . All I know is we're 39:17.941 --> 39:20.107 going to continue to push Aidan , as I 39:20.107 --> 39:22.163 mentioned , Moore is on the way . So 39:22.163 --> 39:24.496 you're gonna see those numbers increase . 39:24.496 --> 39:26.663 But I guess my question for you is , I 39:26.663 --> 39:26.241 mean , and I , yeah , I'm not going to 39:26.251 --> 39:28.418 get a rhetorical question . I just , I 39:28.418 --> 39:30.584 think where the , where our disconnect 39:30.584 --> 39:32.642 I think is just so you can take the 39:32.652 --> 39:34.931 question and figure it out later is the 39:34.941 --> 39:37.781 90 to 100 and 50 trucks a day was kind 39:37.791 --> 39:40.013 of the metric , everyone was focused on 39:40.013 --> 39:42.189 from Cooper and everyone early on and 39:42.199 --> 39:44.366 now you guys sort of shifted to metric 39:44.366 --> 39:46.760 tons a day and we're trying to equate . 39:46.770 --> 39:50.560 Is that ? How is that ? 90 trucks per 39:50.570 --> 39:53.080 day is how many , how many , uh that 39:53.090 --> 39:55.312 and that's why , because we didn't know 39:55.312 --> 39:57.201 if that 569 metric tons that have 39:57.201 --> 39:59.919 gotten in what , whether that equates 39:59.929 --> 40:01.873 to whether you're falling short or 40:01.873 --> 40:03.873 meeting or whatever , those initial 40:03.873 --> 40:06.040 goals of the 90 to 100 and 50 trucks . 40:06.040 --> 40:08.207 Unfortunately , that was the metric we 40:08.207 --> 40:10.262 got early on and now with the metric 40:10.262 --> 40:12.373 tons , we're trying to figure out how 40:12.373 --> 40:14.373 those two equate . That's , I think 40:14.373 --> 40:16.596 that's just the question adding to that 40:16.596 --> 40:18.540 too is somebody must know how many 40:18.540 --> 40:20.540 trucks have gone along the causeway 40:20.540 --> 40:22.429 into the marshaling area . That , 40:22.429 --> 40:24.596 that's a number somebody should have . 40:24.596 --> 40:26.707 And I think because we're reporting , 40:26.707 --> 40:28.873 you know , X number of trucks left and 40:28.873 --> 40:31.040 I think people are equating the number 40:31.040 --> 40:33.262 of trucks that go on and off the pier , 40:33.262 --> 40:35.485 filled with aid to the number of trucks 40:35.485 --> 40:37.540 leaving the marshaling area . That's 40:37.540 --> 40:39.596 not the same trucks and it's not the 40:39.596 --> 40:41.596 same size trucks if I'm right , not 40:41.596 --> 40:43.818 mistaken . So it would be inaccurate to 40:43.818 --> 40:45.929 say the number of trucks going on and 40:45.929 --> 40:48.040 off the pier is the same as the 10 or 40:48.040 --> 40:50.725 11 trucks that left the pier or left 40:50.735 --> 40:52.902 the marshaling area and left . Is that 40:52.902 --> 40:55.124 accurate ? Correct . And again , look , 40:55.125 --> 40:57.069 we'll , we'll continue to keep you 40:57.069 --> 40:59.292 update on this . I understand the , the 40:59.292 --> 41:01.125 intense interest in it and we'll 41:01.125 --> 41:02.903 continue to provide you as many 41:02.903 --> 41:04.847 statistics as we can . But again , 41:04.847 --> 41:07.069 looking at the forest through the trees 41:07.069 --> 41:09.292 here is about getting aid to the people 41:09.292 --> 41:09.189 of Gaza and that's what we'll continue 41:09.199 --> 41:11.255 to focus on doing no matter how many 41:11.255 --> 41:13.088 trucks are driving on or off the 41:13.088 --> 41:14.921 causeway of Courtenay . I have a 41:14.921 --> 41:18.679 question about the trucks , the , the 41:18.689 --> 41:20.911 the trucks that you mentioned that were 41:20.911 --> 41:22.967 intercepted , um who was responsible 41:22.967 --> 41:25.189 for the security of those at the time . 41:25.189 --> 41:27.739 Uh Again , you know , when it , when it 41:27.750 --> 41:30.260 comes to the security of NGO S , that's 41:30.270 --> 41:31.937 a decision that they all make 41:31.937 --> 41:34.159 internally . So I really can't speak to 41:34.159 --> 41:36.270 them or , or what specifically was on 41:36.270 --> 41:38.520 that on that convoy . But , but again , 41:38.810 --> 41:40.977 broadly speaking , and as I'm sure you 41:40.977 --> 41:43.199 can appreciate , I , I'm , I'm just not 41:43.199 --> 41:45.421 able to go into the details in terms of 41:45.421 --> 41:47.532 the tactics and , and procedures . Uh 41:47.532 --> 41:49.699 There has been a discussion to look at 41:49.699 --> 41:51.810 alternate routes to ensure the safety 41:51.810 --> 41:53.866 of the , the staff and the , and the 41:53.866 --> 41:56.270 cargo that's being delivered . Um And I , 41:56.280 --> 41:58.502 I just have to leave it there . I asked 41:58.502 --> 42:00.613 because II I was under the impression 42:00.613 --> 42:02.724 that that until it got that the , the 42:02.724 --> 42:04.947 Israeli Defense Forces were responsible 42:04.947 --> 42:07.699 for security of the humanitarian aid up 42:07.709 --> 42:09.653 to a certain point , including the 42:09.653 --> 42:11.653 delivery to the warehouses . But is 42:11.653 --> 42:13.820 that , that's not the case . I'll have 42:13.820 --> 42:15.765 to check on that . Thank you . All 42:15.765 --> 42:17.820 right , Ellie . Initially , when you 42:17.820 --> 42:19.931 talked about the alternative routes , 42:19.931 --> 42:22.042 you said movements from the temporary 42:22.042 --> 42:24.265 facility resumed today is the temporary 42:24.265 --> 42:26.431 facility that you're talking about the 42:26.431 --> 42:28.598 marshaling area and then resumed . How 42:28.598 --> 42:30.820 many days were they not moving ? It was 42:30.820 --> 42:32.987 just uh well , just the last couple of 42:32.987 --> 42:35.320 days . So they resumed today ? Two days . 42:35.320 --> 42:38.919 Ok . Thanks for uh 42:38.929 --> 42:41.979 shutting me down . Um Before , for the 42:41.989 --> 42:43.933 opportunity . That's all right . I 42:43.933 --> 42:46.219 apologize . Go ahead . No , no apology . 42:46.830 --> 42:50.600 Um It just hurt my feelings . Mine too , 42:51.149 --> 42:54.540 mine too . Um What I'm getting at 42:54.550 --> 42:58.090 is this was supposed to supplement uh 42:58.129 --> 43:01.729 the eight effort and it seems the fact 43:01.739 --> 43:04.969 that the crossings are closed is , is 43:04.979 --> 43:07.312 not helping the situation . As you said , 43:07.312 --> 43:09.368 desperate people intercepted some of 43:09.368 --> 43:11.790 the trucks which created this delay . 43:11.870 --> 43:15.139 Can you highlight or update us on the 43:15.149 --> 43:18.090 latest effort by the department by the 43:18.100 --> 43:21.449 secretary with the Israeli counterparts 43:21.699 --> 43:25.350 on the land routes ? And where are 43:25.360 --> 43:27.760 you in that effort right now ? Are you 43:27.770 --> 43:30.530 hopeful that we will see uh the 43:30.540 --> 43:34.199 crossing into Rafa uh uh Karam 43:34.860 --> 43:38.580 Salim Es Open and functioning 43:38.590 --> 43:42.469 fully . So , so this is a , is 43:42.479 --> 43:44.590 an ongoing effort , not only with the 43:44.590 --> 43:46.812 Department of Defense but across the US 43:46.812 --> 43:49.300 government in terms of talking with the 43:49.310 --> 43:51.254 Israelis and other partners in the 43:51.254 --> 43:54.520 region to maximize the throughput of 43:54.530 --> 43:56.489 aid through the land crossings to 43:56.500 --> 44:00.260 include Rafa . Uh And so , um 44:00.649 --> 44:02.760 you know , I can assure you that that 44:02.760 --> 44:04.982 is a conversation uh that the secretary 44:04.982 --> 44:08.010 has had uh with his um 44:08.949 --> 44:11.060 Israeli counterpart and will continue 44:11.060 --> 44:13.429 to have um as well as other partners in 44:13.439 --> 44:15.217 the region . Uh You know , most 44:15.217 --> 44:18.189 recently a as he mentioned , um our his 44:18.199 --> 44:20.790 Egyptian counterpart . So 44:21.600 --> 44:24.870 we fully appreciate uh and 44:24.879 --> 44:26.899 recognize that land roots are the 44:26.909 --> 44:29.360 optimal way to get aid . Uh And to 44:29.370 --> 44:31.648 answer your question , am I optimistic ? 44:31.648 --> 44:33.870 You know , I'm an eternal optimist . So 44:33.870 --> 44:35.981 I will remain optimistic that we will 44:35.981 --> 44:38.092 be able to see the Rafa gate open and 44:38.092 --> 44:40.259 that we'll continue to see aid getting 44:40.259 --> 44:42.426 in and , and along those lines too . I 44:42.426 --> 44:44.592 mean , this kind of gets back to the , 44:44.592 --> 44:46.759 the reality of , again , we're talking 44:46.759 --> 44:48.870 about a combat zone here uh with many 44:48.870 --> 44:50.981 people uh in a , in a challenging and 44:50.981 --> 44:54.320 desperate situa situation . Uh And so 44:54.699 --> 44:56.588 in the same way that , you know , 44:56.709 --> 44:58.431 logistically , there have been 44:58.431 --> 45:00.487 challenges with the land routes , uh 45:00.487 --> 45:02.653 you know , going forward , e even with 45:02.653 --> 45:04.876 air routes , there's always logistics , 45:04.876 --> 45:07.098 logistical challenges . Uh And so , you 45:07.098 --> 45:09.209 know , we shouldn't be surprised from 45:09.209 --> 45:11.429 time to time as uh J lots goes forward 45:11.439 --> 45:13.661 that there are going to be challenges . 45:13.661 --> 45:15.772 But again , as we've done elsewhere , 45:15.772 --> 45:17.995 uh we will find a way to make it happen 45:17.995 --> 45:20.161 and we will find a way to get aid over 45:20.161 --> 45:22.383 the maritime corridor and to the people 45:22.383 --> 45:25.020 uh in Gaza . And , and so again , uh 45:25.030 --> 45:27.899 this is not a sole us military effort . 45:27.909 --> 45:29.965 It's an interagency effort . It's an 45:29.965 --> 45:31.631 international effort . And we 45:31.631 --> 45:33.687 understand the desperate need of the 45:33.687 --> 45:35.853 Palestinian people right now and we're 45:35.853 --> 45:35.330 going to continue to work to get them 45:35.340 --> 45:39.260 what they need . On Monday , Taiwan's 45:39.270 --> 45:42.139 new President Lai was in and asked 45:42.149 --> 45:44.316 China to stop military threats against 45:44.316 --> 45:46.570 Taiwan since China has been criticized 45:46.580 --> 45:48.909 in President Lai as a troublemaker . 45:48.919 --> 45:51.141 How much are you worried about the risk 45:51.141 --> 45:53.399 of escalation in the Taiwan strait on 45:53.409 --> 45:56.070 the occasion of the premature tran ? Um 45:56.080 --> 45:58.191 Well , thanks . Uh as you've heard us 45:58.191 --> 46:01.370 say , um we've urged the PR C not to 46:01.379 --> 46:04.449 use the election as a pretext for 46:04.459 --> 46:08.010 escalation . Uh And so , you know , we 46:08.020 --> 46:10.290 have seen uh as I've mentioned 46:10.300 --> 46:12.510 previously and as you and I have 46:12.520 --> 46:14.687 discussed , you know , we've seen them 46:14.687 --> 46:16.929 used increased naval activity uh as a 46:16.939 --> 46:19.889 pressure tactic uh to include in the 46:19.899 --> 46:21.909 South China Sea . Uh We remain 46:21.919 --> 46:23.641 concerned about those kinds of 46:23.641 --> 46:25.863 activities . We've raised that directly 46:25.863 --> 46:27.808 with the PR C . Uh But we're gonna 46:27.808 --> 46:29.863 continue to remain committed to open 46:29.863 --> 46:31.697 channels of communication to pre 46:31.697 --> 46:34.939 prevent potential miscalculation uh or 46:34.949 --> 46:37.239 risks . Um And ultimately , at the end 46:37.250 --> 46:39.472 of the day , we're gonna continue to be 46:39.472 --> 46:42.439 committed to uh work to ensure uh that 46:42.449 --> 46:45.050 Taiwan maintains a self sufficient , a 46:45.060 --> 46:48.090 self defense uh capability . Uh in 46:48.100 --> 46:50.156 accordance with the Taiwan Relations 46:50.156 --> 46:51.933 Act . Thank you . Take the last 46:51.933 --> 46:54.044 question here , sir . Thanks Pat . Um 46:54.044 --> 46:56.409 Just to follow up on the um , if you 46:56.419 --> 46:58.475 say trucks , I saw him coming across 46:58.475 --> 47:02.439 his podium . Um Did the US 47:02.449 --> 47:05.840 military have um advanced notice of 47:05.850 --> 47:08.989 that launch in any way ? Again ? I 47:09.000 --> 47:11.000 think that's the question was asked 47:11.000 --> 47:13.000 earlier in terms of , you know , uh 47:13.000 --> 47:15.167 Russian requirements to do any type of 47:15.167 --> 47:17.222 launch notifications . Um You know , 47:17.222 --> 47:19.389 I'm gonna have to take that question . 47:19.389 --> 47:22.679 So now if you're asking specifically 47:22.689 --> 47:24.800 about payloads and things like that , 47:24.800 --> 47:26.522 I'm just not going to get into 47:26.522 --> 47:28.578 intelligence uh about some type of , 47:28.578 --> 47:30.633 well , what I'm saying is that , you 47:30.633 --> 47:32.745 know , typically uh when there , when 47:32.745 --> 47:34.689 there are launches into space , uh 47:34.689 --> 47:36.633 there are requirements in terms of 47:36.633 --> 47:38.300 notifications , international 47:38.300 --> 47:40.633 notifications , notifications to airmen , 47:40.633 --> 47:42.745 things like that . Uh So the question 47:42.745 --> 47:44.745 is , did we have advanced notice of 47:44.745 --> 47:46.522 that launch uh as it relates to 47:46.522 --> 47:48.633 payloads and , and what we know about 47:48.633 --> 47:50.411 and what we don't know about ie 47:50.411 --> 47:52.633 intelligence that that is not something 47:52.633 --> 47:54.633 I can get into . All right , thanks 47:54.633 --> 47:55.459 very much , everybody . Appreciate it .