Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday night spoke with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin to discuss the escalation with Iranian-backed terror proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. It was the second call between the two since Israel’s preemptive strike in Southern Lebanon on Sunday morning.
The two men “held a joint security situation assessment, reviewing the successful activities conducted to thwart an extensive Hezbollah attack on Israel,” according to an Israeli readout.
They also “discussed ongoing joint efforts to deter Iran and its proxies and to restore regional stability, while ensuring Israel’s security and ability to defend itself. In this regard, Gallant expressed his appreciation to the secretary for the close cooperation and coordination between Israel and the United States, including intelligence-sharing,” added the statement.
Gallant and Austin also discussed ongoing efforts to achieve a framework agreement for the release of the 109 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
On Sunday morning, some 100 Israeli Air Force fighter jets, directed by IDF intelligence, destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in Southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah subsequently fired more than 200 projectiles into Israel.
The Iranian proxy released a statement according to which the launches were “stage one” of its retaliation for Israel’s targeted killing of Shukr on July 31.
The main target of the attack was likely the Glilot base near Herzliya, the site of Mossad headquarters and various military intelligence units.
Gallant also held a call with U.K. Secretary of State for Defense John Healey, whom he briefed on “the activities conducted by the IDF in thwarting an extensive attack against Israeli civilians and military positions,” according to a statement from Jerusalem.
The two also discussed “the important cooperation with Britain in ensuring Israel’s security,” and the United Kingdom’s “important role in maintaining regional stability, and in this regard emphasized the importance of preventing regional escalation.”
Gallant also discussed the “urgency” of reaching a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, and told Healey that “the onus must now be placed” on the Palestinian terror group.
Finally, the Israeli minister expressed his appreciation to Healey “for the excellent defense cooperation between the respective nations, and for his personal leadership and commitment to Israel’s security.”
