US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently had a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, expressing concern over reports of Israeli forces firing on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon. The Pentagon confirmed that Austin also addressed the reported deaths of two Lebanese soldiers and urged Israel to refrain from military operations in Lebanon.
During the call, Austin raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and emphasized the importance of taking steps to address it. He reiterated the US’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security while acknowledging the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas.