Austin says US committed to resolve Lebanon-Israel border tensions
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to resolve tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and to avoid regional escalation.
"Secretary Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the pursuit of diplomacy to resolve tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and the shared goal of avoiding regional escalation," the U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday in a statement.
"Austin reiterated U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself and the importance of ensuring uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza," the statement said.
Since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, the Lebanese-Israeli border has witnessed a near-daily exchange of fire between Israel's army and Hezbollah. At least 202 people have been killed in south Lebanon, 147 of them belonging to Hezbollah.
Source: Naharnet
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