Hezbollah is heading in the same direction as Hamas, says Gallant

The Defence Ministry’s report on the call did not include quotes by Austin, whose US Department of Defence did not immediately provide a readout of the conversation.

The call between Austin and Gallant, who have spoken dozens of times by phone since October 7, comes at a time of tension between Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, according to reports in the Israel media, is interested in firmer military action in Israel’s multi-arena conflict.

On Sunday, Netanyahu pledged to not allow a continuation of the status quo vis-à-vis Hezbollah. Austin has called repeatedly for regional de-escalation, including in his conversation with Gallant last week.

The defence minister reiterated in his latest call with the secretary of defence Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages from Gaza “in any way possible”.