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".

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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.