(TheRedAlertNews.com) – The U.S. military has just been placed on high alert following a dramatic escalation between U.S. ally Israel and Lebanon-based Iranian proxy Hezbollah, punctuated by the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s order underscores the urgent need to protect our interests and maintain stability in the volatile Middle East.
The situation in the Middle East has taken a perilous turn.
The death of Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike has ramped up tensions to unprecedented levels.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, upon returning from a defense meeting in London, addressed the urgent situation.
He confirmed the reports of a significant Israeli strike in Beirut, emphasizing that the U.S. was not involved in the operation and had no advance warning.
Austin’s conversations with Israeli Defense Minister Gallant took place during the operation.
He reiterated that diplomacy remains the best course of action, suggesting it is both the quickest and most effective way to allow displaced citizens from Israel and Lebanon to return home.
“Diplomacy continues to be the best way forward — and it’s the fastest way to let displaced Israeli and Lebanese citizens return to their homes on both sides of the border,” Austin said, according to a Pentagon release.
The call for restraint comes amid Israel’s continued strikes and defiance of global ceasefire calls.
Austin has praised Israel’s efforts to protect its sovereignty, affirming that the U.S. would continue providing military aid.
He also downplayed the idea of any “red lines” in U.S. support.
“US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that the US would continue to provide military aid to Israel, playing down the idea of ‘red lines,’ even as he warned that an all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah would be devastating,” The Times of Israel notes in a report.
Skirmishes have resulted in substantial casualties. Lebanese officials report around 600 deaths from Israeli airstrikes, with nearly 500,000 displaced.
In Israel, there have been 26 civilian deaths and the loss of 22 IDF soldiers and reservists. The humanitarian toll is immense, The Daily Caller reports.
“Another full-scale war [could] be devastating for both Israel and Lebanon,” Austin commented further.
He plans to continue discussions with Israeli officials for further updates and evaluations.
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