Israel conducts operation in Lebanon, notifies US ahead of time

On a Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin received a warning from Israeli officials about an impending military operation in Lebanon, although no specific details were provided. This warning coincided with a significant attack attributed to Israel, which resulted in the explosion of thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah militants. The attacks, which occurred over two days, led to at least 37 fatalities, including two children, and left around 3,000 individuals injured, raising concerns about the potential for escalating violence in the region. The U.S. was involved in multiple calls between Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant throughout the week, discussing the rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. While the U.S. was informed of the initial operation, they were caught off guard by subsequent attacks targeting walkie-talkie radios. Pentagon officials clarified that the U.S. had no role in these operations and expressed surprise at the specifics of the attacks. In light of the escalating situation, Austin reiterated America's support for Israel and emphasized the importance of regional security. He also highlighted the need for a diplomatic resolution to ensure the safety of civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. The U.S. State Department advised American citizens in Lebanon to remain cautious and maintain a low profile, although no immediate evacuation requests had been made. Despite the heightened tensions, U.S. officials indicated that there were no changes to military posture in the region, and contingency plans for evacuating Americans were in place but not expected to be activated soon. U.S. Navy ships with Marines were positioned in the Mediterranean, ready to assist if necessary.