US Had No Advance Warning of Israeli Strike in Beirut, According to Pentagon, Reuters Reports

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that he had no prior knowledge of Israel’s attacks in Beirut targeting Hezbollah’s main headquarters, although he spoke with his Israeli counterpart while the operation was already in progress.

Austin refrained from commenting on the specifics of the strike, as there is speculation surrounding the potential fate of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. He mentioned that he would be speaking with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant again “soon” to get updates.

“We had no advance warning. My conversation with Minister Gallant occurred while the operation was actually underway,” Austin told reporters upon returning to Joint Base Andrews after a visit to London. “This operation took place just a couple of hours ago, and they’re still conducting assessments. I don’t have any additional information or details to share at this time.”

The strike has the potential to significantly affect the situation in the Middle East, as Israel pivots its focus from the ongoing conflict with Iran-aligned Hamas in Gaza to operations against Hezbollah.

Iran’s embassy in Lebanon described the attack as a dangerous escalation that would warrant “appropriate punishment” for those responsible. Jordan’s foreign minister remarked that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pushing the region toward a full-scale war.

Austin has repeatedly cautioned that a large-scale conflict between Hezbollah and Israel would be devastating for both parties and emphasized the importance of diplomacy. “All-out war should be avoided,” he stated, advocating for diplomatic solutions as the best way to facilitate the return of displaced citizens on both sides of the border.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, when addressing reporters earlier, refrained from disclosing what Gallant communicated to Austin regarding the operation or whether it specifically targeted Nasrallah. The Pentagon also declined to speculate on Nasrallah’s status.

When asked about Austin’s potential discussions with Gallant concerning the strike’s impact on U.S. efforts towards a ceasefire, Singh did not offer specifics but noted that the defense secretary maintains candid discussions with his Israeli counterpart. “If there were any issues of trust, you wouldn’t see such regular communication between the secretary and Minister Gallant,” Singh remarked.

The Israeli military confirmed that it aimed at Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburbs, causing significant tremors throughout the city and leading to large plumes of smoke rising in the area.

Senior officials indicated that Hezbollah leaders were the targets of the strike, but it remains uncertain whether Nasrallah was among those affected. “It’s too early to conclude, but it’s a matter of time. Sometimes they conceal our successes,” a senior Israeli official commented.