Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a critical call with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, following a deadly rocket attack by Hezbollah. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, claimed the lives of 12 Israeli children and injured 30 others in the northern community of Majdal Shams. Minister Gallant informed Secretary Austin about the use of an Iranian rocket, equipped with 50KG of explosives, and presented evidence from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicating Hezbollah’s responsibility for the assault.
Minister Gallant highlighted the ongoing rocket barrages launched by Hezbollah since October 8th, targeting Israel’s northern communities. He emphasized that the recent attack represents a significant escalation and reiterated that Hezbollah, as an Iranian proxy, would be held accountable. The discussion also focused on Israel’s determination to restore security to its northern border and the measures planned to exact a heavy price from Hezbollah for its actions.
Additionally, Minister Gallant and Secretary Austin explored the importance of achieving a framework to ensure the safe return of hostages, stressing the urgency given the current operational and strategic conditions. They also discussed force build-up efforts and the IDF’s commitment to maintaining a qualitative edge in defense against terror groups across seven fronts.
Minister Gallant expressed his gratitude to Secretary Austin and the U.S. Administration for their clear stance on Hezbollah’s attack and their unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. The conversation underscored the strong U.S.-Israel partnership and the shared resolve to counter threats in the region.–News Desk