Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin discussed efforts to “de-escalate tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border in the wake of Lebanese Hezbollah’s increased aggression,” a Pentagon statement said.
“We are concerned about an increase in activity in the north. We don’t want this to escalate to a broad regional conflict and we urge de-escalation,” a deputy Pentagon spokesperson told reporters after the call.
Hezbollah fired some 215 rockets at northern Israel Wednesday in response to the strike that killed Taleb Sami Abdullah, its most senior commander to die by Israel’s hand since the round of violence started eight months ago. The terror group began launching daily attacks on northern communities on October 8, saying it was doing so to support Hamas amid the war in Gaza.
The rockets and their interceptions sparked several fires in the north, which were brought under control by firefighters by the evening.
Hezbollah vowed to intensify its attacks along the border to avenge Abdullah’s death. READ MORE
