US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in discussions with his Israeli counterpart for the third time in 48 hours, as Lebanon witnessed consecutive days of pager and walkie-talkie explosions that have been attributed to Israel, resulting in casualties and injuries.
The frequent communication between the two defense officials highlights the critical nature of the current situation, with US authorities advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
During the call, Austin reassured Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of the US commitment to deterring regional adversaries while emphasizing the importance of deescalating tensions across the region.
Earlier conversations between Austin and Gallant included a notification from the Israeli side regarding an upcoming operation in Lebanon, although specific details were not disclosed at that time.
The White House reiterated that the US was not involved in the recent attacks in Lebanon and learned about the operation through reports of exploding Hezbollah pagers.
Following the incidents, Gallant made a visit to an Israeli Air Force base where he acknowledged the evolving nature of the conflict and emphasized the need for strategic adaptation.
Gallant commended the Israel Defense Forces, along with the Shin Bet security agency and Mossad intelligence agency, for their successful operations in the region.
This acknowledgment from Gallant marks the first implicit confirmation from an Israeli official regarding the country's involvement in the recent attacks in Lebanon.
