US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday to express his condolences to the IDF soldiers killed in a Hezbollah drone strike and discuss the IDF’s military operations in Lebanon.
According to a readout of the Pentagon call, Austin “reinforced the importance of Israel taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the need to transition from a military operation in Lebanon to a diplomatic one to provide security to civilians on both sides of the border as soon as possible.”
Israeli soldiers hide in a military vehicle near the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on October 11, 2024.
Atef Safadi//EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is a UN Security Council peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
The conversation comes after the IDF fired repeatedly at the UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon.
In addition, Secretary Austin “reaffirmed the deep commitment of the United States to the security of Israel,” which he says is demonstrated by the implementation of the US High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
According to the Department of Defense, THAAD uses missile interceptors using “hit-to-kill” technology to destroy threat missiles.
In the call, Austin “reiterated his concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need to take steps to address it,” the Pentagon said.
