US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant agreed during their call on "the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure" along the Israeli border to ensure that Lebanon's Hezbollah movement cannot launch an attack on northern Israel, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
"They agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel's northern communities," the department said in a statement.
Austin also stressed that a diplomatic solution was needed to ensure that civilians on both sides of the border could safely return to their homes. According to the Pentagon, the secretary discussed the importance of ultimately moving from military action to diplomacy.
Austin also made clear that Washington was ready to defend US service members, partners, and allies in the face of "threats from Iran" and the movements it supports.