JERUSALEM (JTA) — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel conferred with his Israeli counterpart Moshe Yaalon on developments in Israel’s efforts to rescue three kidnapped teens.
Yaalon updated Hagel on the kidnapping and operations in the West Bank, as well as on rocket fire from Syria that killed an Israeli teen, during a phone conversation Monday afternoon, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement released Monday evening.
“Secretary Hagel offered his sympathies for those affected by the violence in the Golan Heights, pledged our continued support, and expressed his shared concern over the violence in Syria and Iraq,” the statement said. “He also updated Minister Yaalon on U.S. views on the events unfolding in the Middle East.
“The two leaders agreed to continue working closely with one another on the broad range of security issues facing the United States and Israel.”
