In a phone call with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has reiterated Washington’s “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security”, the Pentagon says, Al Jazeera reports.

Austin also suggested that Israel should not escalate the conflict with Hezbollah, according to the US statement describing the call, which took place on Sunday.

“Secretary Austin also reaffirmed the necessity of a ceasefire and hostage deal, and that Israel should give diplomatic negotiations time to succeed, noting the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon, and the broader region,” the Pentagon said today.