Austin expresses "deep concern" about Israeli forces firing on UN peacekeepers in a call with Gallant

 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Saturday expressed “deep concern” regarding reports of Israeli forces firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, during a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to the Pentagon.

Austin “strongly emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) forces” and urged Israel to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway “as soon as feasible,” the readout said.

Austin also raised the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed “steps must be taken to address it.”