Austin says he spoke to Yoav Gallant to discuss Israel's operations in Lebanon. He adds that he reaffirmed the US' support of Israel's "right to defend itself", and a US commitment to a "diplomatic arrangement that safely returns both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border".

Israeli airstrikes have hit the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping force and other positions in south Lebanon in recent days, drawing widespread condemnation from around the world.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pressed his Israeli counterpart to take steps to prevent IDF soldiers from firing at UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, the Pentagon said on Friday, while three European leaders issued a joint statement condemning Israel's attacks.