The United States and Israel have agreed on the “necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure” along the Lebanon border to counter potential threats from the Hezbollah militia, the Pentagon announced.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed the matter with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to review recent security developments and Israel’s military operations. Both sides emphasized the need to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks similar to those carried out on October 7 against northern Israeli communities.
Austin reiterated the importance of pursuing a diplomatic resolution to enable civilians on both sides of the border to return home safely. The discussion also highlighted the significance of transitioning from military operations to diplomatic efforts to restore security and stability.
The Pentagon confirmed that Austin assured Israel of unwavering U.S. support in defending against threats from Iran-backed terrorist organizations. The Israeli military, meanwhile, announced it had commenced “targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence” against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
The U.S. had been informed of Israel’s planned “limited operations” along the Lebanese border. The Pentagon also stressed that the U.S. remains well-prepared to defend its personnel, allies, and partners against threats from Iran and affiliated terrorist organizations.
Austin and Gallant further discussed the potential consequences for Iran if it opted to launch a direct military attack against Israel, underscoring the seriousness of such a move.
