Yoav Gallant
The Pentagon chief stressed the need “to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway” as soon as possible.
“Hezbollah operates and fires in the vicinity of UNIFIL positions, using peacekeeping missions as a cover for its terrorist activities.”
The American defense secretary “strongly emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL forces and Lebanese Armed Forces.”
The Biden administration had been hoping to learn more from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, whose visit to the U.S. was postponed at the last minute.
“Today more than ever, we carry a deep commitment to continue taking every measure necessary to defeat our enemies and to defend our homeland,” said the Israeli defense minister.
“Whoever thinks that by attempting to harm Israel they will deter us from taking action, should take a look at [our achievements] in Gaza and in Beirut.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after the “outrageous act of aggression by Iran against Israel,”
The U.S. defense secretary and his counterpart, Yoav Gallant, “agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot conduct Oct. 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities.”
“We will use all the means that may be required—from the air, from the sea, and on land,” the defense minister told IDF troops on the Lebanese border.
“The United States remains postured to protect U.S. forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defense of Israel,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
“To our partners, I say: Our war, is your war,” said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “remains alone at the top,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
