Israel attack on Lebanon/ Hezbollah strike by Israel/ Israeli military operation in Lebanon/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel notified U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of an impending operation in Lebanon, but provided few details. Subsequent explosions targeting Hezbollah communications resulted in at least 37 deaths. U.S. officials confirmed no prior knowledge of the full scope of the attack.
Israel’s Lebanon Operation Quick Looks
- Israel informed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about an upcoming operation in Lebanon on Tuesday, without sharing specific details.
- Explosions, widely attributed to Israel, targeted Hezbollah’s electronic communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, across Lebanon.
- At least 37 individuals, including civilians, were killed, with over 3,000 wounded across two days of strikes.
- The U.S. clarified that they played no role in the attack and were surprised by the extent of the operations.
- Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed four calls between Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, but did not specify their timing.
- U.S. forces in the region have not changed their posture despite the recent escalation.
- Austin reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel and advocated for de-escalation, pushing for a ceasefire and diplomacy to safeguard civilians.
- Evacuation plans for U.S. citizens in Lebanon remain in place, but no immediate action is expected.
Israel Warned U.S. of Lebanon Operation Before Strikes
Deep Look:
Israel warned U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about an impending military operation in Lebanon during a call on Tuesday, although U.S. officials revealed that the details of the attack were not disclosed. U.S. sources, speaking under the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the phone call occurred on the same day that a series of explosions rocked Lebanon, targeting communications devices linked to Hezbollah militants. Thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah were reportedly destroyed in the strikes, which have since been widely attributed to Israeli forces.
This call was part of a broader series of discussions between Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with four known conversations taking place over the past week. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been intensifying in recent months, and the frequency of these calls reflects the concern that these skirmishes could evolve into a broader regional conflict. In a second call later on Tuesday, Austin was briefed about the aftermath of the initial attacks, but the U.S. remained unaware of the full scope of Israel’s plans.
On Wednesday, another wave of attacks struck Hezbollah’s walkie-talkie systems, resulting in significant casualties. U.S. officials confirmed that they were not given prior notice of this phase of the operation. In total, at least 37 people have been killed over the two days of explosions, including two children, while thousands more were injured. Although Hezbollah was the primary target, civilians were among the casualties, raising concerns about collateral damage.
The precision and scale of the attacks suggest that Israel had been preparing for months to target Hezbollah’s infrastructure and communications. This week’s strikes appear to have been aimed at incapacitating a large number of Hezbollah militants simultaneously, severely disrupting their ability to coordinate operations. However, the damage extended beyond military targets, and the loss of civilian lives has drawn widespread attention.
U.S. defense officials have emphasized that the United States played no role in the planning or execution of the attacks and expressed surprise at the intensity and precision of the strikes. While Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh acknowledged the four phone conversations between Austin and Gallant, she declined to provide further details about their timing or the specifics discussed during each call.
Despite the uptick in violence, the Pentagon has made no adjustments to its military presence in the region. During a Wednesday call, Austin discussed broader regional security issues with Gallant, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel. Austin also underscored Washington’s commitment to deterring threats from regional adversaries, particularly Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed militias.
In her statement on Thursday, Singh stressed that Austin had pushed for a ceasefire agreement and urged both sides to pursue diplomatic measures that could allow civilians on either side of the Israeli-Lebanese border to return home. The U.S. remains focused on de-escalating tensions, with Austin calling for a resolution that could result in the release of hostages held by Hamas.
When asked about the possibility of a U.S. military evacuation of American citizens currently residing in Lebanon, Singh clarified that the Pentagon had not received any such request from the State Department. Nonetheless, the U.S. State Department has advised its citizens in Lebanon to exercise caution, maintain a low profile, and stay informed of their security surroundings. Although the U.S. government maintains contingency plans for evacuations around the world, there is no indication that these will be activated in Lebanon anytime soon, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
U.S. Navy ships carrying Marines are stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and are prepared to assist in the region if necessary, officials confirmed. While the situation remains tense, no immediate actions have been taken, and both U.S. and Israeli officials appear to be focused on preventing further escalation.
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