US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, has “reinforced the importance of Israel taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Unifil forces and Lebanese Armed Forces”, Reuters reports.

Austin also pressed Gallant on the need for Israel “to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway to provide security for civilians on both sides of the border as soon as feasible”, according to a readout of the call.