US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he called on his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to ensure the safety of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after they reported wounded peacekeepers in the south of the country, Reuters reported. quoted by BTA.
I called Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant last evening to discuss Israel's operations in Lebanon. I reaffirmed ironclad support for Israel's right to defend itself and reiterated U.S. commitment to a diplomatic arrangement that safely returns both Lebanese and Israeli…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 11, 2024
"I have called for ensuring the safety of UNIFIL forces and coordinating efforts to transition from military operations to a diplomatic path as soon as possible," Austin wrote on the social network "X" after having a telephone conversation with Gallant.