U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant regarding the recent murder of six hostages by Hamas, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Austin expressed outrage at what he termed the 'vicious, illegal, and immoral execution' of the hostages and emphasized the need for accountability for Hamas leaders. He also reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to negotiating a ceasefire to secure the release of all remaining hostages. President Biden shared similar sentiments, expressing devastation over the murders and stating that efforts to facilitate a hostage release deal are ongoing. Both leaders acknowledged the rising tensions in Gaza and the impact of recent terrorist activities on regional stability. The U.S. continues to work closely with Qatar and Egypt in hostage negotiations, underscoring the urgency of the situation.