The diplomatic pressure came as Hezbollah fired more than 300 missiles, rockets and drones at Israel over Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, which ended at nightfall Saturday.
Meanwhile, Israel pushed forward with its military offensive in southern Lebanon, amid mounting international criticism over several incidents where UN peacekeepers were hit.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during which he “reinforced the need to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible,” according to the Pentagon statement released early Sunday.
The US readout said that Austin expressed “deep concern” about reports that Israeli forces had fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon in recent days and urged Israel to ensure safety for them and the Lebanese military. READ MORE
