The new Pentagon leader calls Israel an exemplary ally.
New Pentagon leader Pete Hegseth, in a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, said that Israel is an "exemplary" ally of the United States, the Defense Department said after the conversation.
"Secretary Hegseth stressed that under President Trump's leadership, the United States fully supports Israel's right to self-defense and that Israel is an exemplary ally in the region," the Pentagon said in a statement.
Pete Hegseth also emphasized that the United States aims to deepen bilateral relations in the security field, strengthening Israel's capacity to counter regional threats and providing it with the necessary capabilities.
The leaders of the two defense ministries agreed to continue close cooperation in the future. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had lifted the ban on the transfer of 2,000-pound (approximately 907 kg) bombs to Israel, imposed by the previous administration of Joe Biden. Trump clarified that these bombs had been stored for a long time, Israel had paid for them, and had been awaiting delivery all this time.
