Tel Aviv [Israel], March 4 (ANI/TPS): Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whom he thanked, for President Trump's support for accelerating shipments of weapons and security equipment to Israel, and for his commitment to the "strong alliance between the countries."

Katz said that Israel had agreed to the outline proposed by the President's Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and stressed the need to return all the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza and to destroy the Hamas regime there.

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The Minister reviewed with the Secretary Hegseth the IDF's (Israel Defense Forces) activities in Judea and Samaria against terrorism, emphasized the importance of the security areas Israel's military established in Lebanon and Syria, and thanked America for its support.

In addition, Katz and Hegseth agreed that Iran is the main threat to the region, and that close cooperation between Israel and the US must continue with the aim of preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons. (ANI/TPS)

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(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)