US defence secretary reiterates 'unwavering' support for Israel in call with Yoav Gallant

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on Wednesday to "review regional security developments" and to reaffirm "unwavering US support for Israel in the face of threats from Iran, Lebanese [Hezbollah], and Iran’s other regional partners".

Austin emphasised the US's "commitment to deterring regional adversaries and efforts to de-escalate tensions across the region" and urged for an "enduring diplomatic resolution to the conflict on the Israel-Lebanon border," according to a statement from the Pentagon.

The call followed a series of explosions in Lebanon, where electronic devices linked to Hezbollah detonated over consecutive days, killing more than two dozen people in what is believed to be an Israeli espionage operation.