US Pledges Support for Israel's Defense Amid Potential Hezbollah Threat, Says Defence Chief

According to SAEDNEWS,In a recent statement made in the Philippines, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized America's commitment to supporting Israel in the event of an attack. "If Israel is attacked, we will assist it in defending itself. We've made that clear from the start. However, our preference is to avoid such a situation," he told reporters.

Austin expressed his belief that "a fight is not unavoidable" and stressed the importance of resolving tensions through diplomatic means, as reported by the Anadolu Agency.

The defense chief also voiced concerns about the rising possibility of a conflict between Israel and Lebanon escalating into a larger confrontation.

Shortly after Austin's remarks, there was an Israeli airstrike on the Hezbollah Shura Council headquarters located in Haret Hreik, a neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon. According to the state-run National News Agency, an Israeli drone targeted a building, firing three missiles that destroyed two floors.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it aimed at a Hezbollah commander involved in a recent missile attack that resulted in twelve fatalities in the Israeli town of Druze, located in the Golan Heights. While Israel held Hezbollah responsible for the attack, the Lebanese group denied any involvement.

With ongoing cross-border exchanges of attacks heightening tensions, concerns about a potential outbreak of full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating. This situation unfolds amidst a devastating Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has claimed over 39,300 lives since mid-October, following an attack by Hamas.