US ‘postured’ to support Israel, says its commitment to ally’s defence is ironclad

WASHINGTON - The US has said its commitment to Israel’s defence is ironclad and that it is “postured” to support its ally after the Israeli military said on Aug 25 that it had

launched strikes in Lebanon

to prevent a major attack by Hezbollah.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken with Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant about Israel’s defence against attacks by the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said.

“Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s defence against any attacks by Iran and its regional partners and proxies,” Major-General Ryder said in a statement.

A Pentagon spokesperson added in a separate statement that the US has been very clear that it “is postured to support the defence of Israel”.

Mr Gallant announced a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency in Israel from 6am (11am, Singapore time) on Aug 25 after the military launched what it called pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon.

The Israeli Defence Ministry said Mr Gallant had briefed Mr Austin on the situation.

“We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel,” Mr Gallant told Mr Austin, according to a statement.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said senior US officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts at the direction of President Joe Biden, who was “closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon”.

“We will keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability,” Mr Savett said in a statement.

Hezbollah issued a statement on Aug 25 announcing large-scale drone and rocket launches targeting deep into Israeli territory in retaliation for the death of its military commander in an Israeli strike in July. AFP