Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday about the escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, stressing American support for Israel’s security.
The two men discussed Israel’s response to the Iranian terrorist proxy’s July 27 attack that killed 12 children in the Golan Heights, which involved a targeted strike in Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah official Fu’ad Shukar.
“They discussed the threats to Israel posed by a range of Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hizballah,” according to the Pentagon’s readout of the call.
“Secretary Austin reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense. They also discussed ongoing efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution that enables citizens on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to safely return to their homes.”
Israel’s Defense Ministry said that Gallant stressed that while the Jewish state does not seek war, the Israel Defense Forces remains “prepared to defend its citizens and to respond to any attack by Hezbollah.”
“Minister Gallant expressed his deep appreciation to Secretary Austin for his personal commitment to Israel’s security, including his public support of Israel’s right to self-defense. He thanked the Secretary for his leadership and personal role in maintaining the powerful ties between Israel and the United States,” according to the readout from Jerusalem.
Gallant was also said to have told Austin that the relationship between Jerusalem and Washington is “central to Israel’s standing in the region and to deterring Iran and its proxies.”
Israel remains committed to achieving a hostage deal with the Hamas terror group, " especially during these times,” he emphasized, in an apparent reference to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
