Israeli Air Force fighters struck several Hezbollah military infrastructures in the Matmoura and Chebaa areas of Lebanon during the night. This was announced by the IDF. Tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border, the increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, Iran and Tehran-backed militias. These were the topics of discussion in the meeting at the Pentagon between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. As the Pentagon reports, Austin reiterated the United States’ “iron commitment” to Israel and underlined that “the provocations of the Lebanese Hezbollah threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war that neither wants.” A conflict of this type, said the Pentagon chief, “would be catastrophic for Lebanon and devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians.”
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Secretary Austin then underlined the priority of ensuring the safe release of all Hamas hostages. He commended Gallant for Israel’s support for the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release proposal outlined by President Biden and approved by the UN Security Council. United Nations. Austin and Gallant “agreed that it is up to Hamas to accept the deal.” Austin also urged Gallant to “redouble efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza” and discussed with the Israeli minister ways to improve the distribution of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in desperate need and to strengthen protection mechanisms for humanitarian workers.
