WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Tuesday that Yoav Gallant, whom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired as defense minister on Tuesday, has been a "trusted partner," and said it will continue to work closely with Israel's next defense minister.

"America's commitment to Israel's security remains ironclad and the U.S. Department of Defense will continue to work closely with Israel's next Minister of Defense," Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Leslie Adler)