U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on President Biden's proposed budget request for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday said the U.S. has seen no evidence that Israel has committed genocide during its military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Asked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., whether that means Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza, Austin said again, "We don't have evidence of that."
Earlier in the hearing, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., had asked the defense secretary if Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7 should be considered an act of genocide.
"What we witnessed on Oct. 7, senator, was a horrific terrorist attack by Hamas," Austin said, adding it "certainly is a war crime."
Persons:
Lloyd Austin, Biden's, Israel, Austin, Joe Biden's, Sen, Tom Cotton, Roger Wicker
Organizations:
Defense, Armed Services, Department of Defense, Capitol, Israel Defense Forces, Gaza Ministry of Health, United Nations, International Court of Justice, General Assembly
Locations:
Washington , U.S, U.S, Gaza, Israel, South Africa