On the eve of a series of deadly pager explosions in Lebanon, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly informed his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, of an imminent military operation in the region. The explosions, which occurred on September 17, have left over 30 people dead and approximately 3000 injured, according to recent reports.
Event Timeline
The sequence of events began when large-scale explosions targeting pagers took place in Lebanon on September 17. The following day, a similar incident involving walkie-talkies occurred. These explosions have been widely attributed to Israeli involvement, with both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah blaming Israel for orchestrating the attacks. However, Israel has yet to publicly respond to these accusations.
According to some American officials, Gallant and Austin had four phone conversations between September 15 and 18. The first call took place on September 15, with subsequent calls occurring around the time of the explosions on September 17 and after the incidents on September 18. During these conversations, Gallant initially informed Austin of the impending action without providing further details. He later elaborated on the situation to the American side.
US Officials’ Disclosures
The American officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Gallant’s warning did not include specifics about the nature or location of the operation. The officials also noted that the United States had no prior knowledge of the explosions and did not participate in any way.
The New York Times reported on September 19 that several current and former American defense and intelligence officials, also unnamed, have pointed to Israel as the mastermind behind the Lebanese communication equipment explosions.
Pentagon’s Confirmation and Statements
The Pentagon’s spokesperson, Sabrina Singh, confirmed the recent conversations between the US and Israeli defense ministers but did not provide detailed information. Singh stated that during their last conversation on September 18, Austin reaffirmed America’s unwavering support for Israel and the US commitment to curb Israeli adversaries in the Middle East, reduce regional tensions, and achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, leading to the release of detained Israelis.
Austin was also reportedly pushing for a diplomatic resolution to the issue of Lebanese and Israeli border residents returning to their homes. Since the outbreak of the latest round of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in October of the previous year, the border region has seen continuous exchanges of fire, forcing many residents to evacuate.
US Evacuation Preparations
When asked about the possibility of the US military executing an evacuation of American citizens in Lebanon, Singh stated that the Department of Defense had not received a request from the State Department for such an operation. The State Department has urged American citizens in Lebanon to maintain a low profile and remain vigilant about their security.
Officials from the State Department and the White House have indicated that while there is an emergency evacuation plan in place for American citizens in Lebanon, there are no immediate plans to implement it based on the information currently available. The Mediterranean region has been deploying US Navy vessels equipped with Marines, ready to assist with evacuations if necessary.
Conclusion
The recent events in Lebanon have raised tensions in the region, with the explosions marking a significant escalation. The US-Israeli communication prior to the explosions adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution and an end to the violence that has affected so many lives.
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