U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced in a statement.

The two sides discussed the need to increase humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings, as well as U.S. progress on opening a maritime corridor to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza, according to the statement.

"Secretary Austin reinforced the unquestionable necessity to ensure the protection of civilians alongside the uninterrupted flow of aid before any potential Israeli military operation in Rafah," the statement added.