Gallant to Austin: Hezbollah using south Lebanon UNIFIL posts as cover to open fire

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused Hezbollah of using UNIFIL posts as cover in his conversation last night with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, according to the Israeli readout.

Gallant told Austin that the incidents in which peacekeepers were injured were under investigation, and accused Hezbollah of firing from the vicinity of UNIFIL posts intentionally.

Gallant “emphasized that while facing this significant operational challenge, the IDF will continue to take measures to avoid harm to UNIFIL troops and peacekeeping positions,” according to Gallant’s office. Austin’s office said he expressed “deep concern” over the incidents.

Gallant also briefed Austin on Israel Defense Forces operations in Lebanon.

The two “discussed ongoing defensive activities in the face of threats posed by Iran and its proxies, primarily Iranian militias in Yemen, Syria and Iraq,” says Gallant’s office.

Notably, neither the US nor the Israeli readouts of the call mention Israel’s planned response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this month.

Gallant was supposed to fly to Washington last week to discuss Israel’s plans with Austin, but that trip has been postponed until he is given the green light by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.