Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday (April 11) and said that Israel will directly respond to any attack launched by Iran.

“A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," said Gallant, while speaking to Austin, as per the remarks issued by his office.

According to the Pentagon, the two leaders discussed the "iron-clad" commitment extended by the United States to Israel amid increasing threats from Iran and its proxies.

Austin emphasised “ironclad US support for Israel’s defence in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies," read the Pentagon statement.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-likely-to-avoid-major-escalation-in-retaliatory-attack-israel-remains-on-high-alert-710328">Iran likely to launch retaliatory attack on Israel in next two days: report</a>

"Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US&nbsp;support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," stated the Pentagon.

“Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the readout added.

It stated that the US general for the Middle East, Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's visit to Israel was also scheduled earlier so that he could meet with Israeli military leadership and discuss "current security threats." In recent months, Kurilla has been frequently travelling to Israel.

<h2>US asks embassy employees to limit their travel in Israel</h2>

The United States said that they have asked their employees in Israel to avoid travelling outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba areas with their family members.

“Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas until further notice,” said the US embassy, in a security alert posted on its website.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine parliament passes bill overhauling army mobilisation rules

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“US government personnel are authorised to transit between these three areas for personal travel," it added.

The United States, as part of its government policy, informs all American citizens via such warnings about updated security measures for its employees in any country.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving &nbsp;Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday (April 11) and said that Israel will directly respond to any attack launched by Iran.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday (April 11) and said that Israel will directly respond to any attack launched by Iran. “A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," said Gallant, while speaking to Austin, as per the remarks issued by his office. According to the Pentagon, the two leaders discussed the "iron-clad" commitment extended by the United States to Israel amid increasing threats from Iran and its proxies. Austin emphasised “ironclad US support for Israel’s defence in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies," read the Pentagon statement. Also Read: Iran likely to launch retaliatory attack on Israel in next two days: report "Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," stated the Pentagon. “Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the readout added. It stated that the US general for the Middle East, Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's visit to Israel was also scheduled earlier so that he could meet with Israeli military leadership and discuss "current security threats." In recent months, Kurilla has been frequently travelling to Israel. US asks embassy employees to limit their travel in Israel The United States said that they have asked their employees in Israel to avoid travelling outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba areas with their family members. “Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas until further notice,” said the US embassy, in a security alert posted on its website. Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine parliament passes bill overhauling army mobilisation rules “US government personnel are authorised to transit between these three areas for personal travel," it added. The United States, as part of its government policy, informs all American citizens via such warnings about updated security measures for its employees in any country. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Pentagon chief meets Israeli defence minister, discusses 'iron-clad' commitment

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is heading to Washington at a time of increasingly strained relations with his country’s main military backer and ally, as Israel continues to defy U.S. calls to reduce the suffering in Gaza.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant leaves for high-level talks in Washington

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant departs for 'important' trip to US

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel is not only getting attacked by Hamas but also from other militant groups that are being harboured allegedly by the neighbouring countries, raising fears of regional escalation across the Gulf.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday (Dec 26), Gallant said Israel is engaged in a “multi-front war from seven sides: Gaza,&nbsp;Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria [an Israeli term for the West Bank], Iraq, Yemen and Iran”.

“We have already responded and taken action in six of these theatres,” he told the Knesset, without specifying, reports Guardian.

<h2>'Unlikely that Israel-Hamas war will end soon'</h2>

He also said that it was unlikely that the war with Gaza would come to an end anytime soon, adding “it will be a long, hard war. It has costs — heavy costs — but its justification is the highest that can be.”

“Without meeting the goals of the war, we will find ourselves in a situation where… the problem will be that people will not want to live in a place where we do not know how to protect them,” he said at a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.

“We need determination, endurance, strength, and national cohesion with the goals. It is a battle in which the one who survives is the one who is stronger at the national level, in its values, and in its unity. This is a battle of national determination, and I tell you that we will defeat Hamas,” Gallant added.

The warning comes at a time when Yemen-based and Iran-backed Houthis have been stepping up their attack on US naval assets that are stationed in the Red Sea in the aftermath of the Israel-Gaza war.

<h2>Escalation at Red Sea</h2>

Apart from that, Israel and the powerful Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah have traded near-daily volleys of missiles, airstrikes and shelling across the frontier since October 7.

On Saturday, the US defence department categorically blamed Iran for the first time since the Gaza conflict broke out for a drone attack targeting a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean.

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Tuesday’s explosions occurred a day after an Israeli airstrike outside the Syrian capital of Damascus killed a senior general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. An Iranian statement on national television said Israel would “pay for this crime”.

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Meanwhile, far across the Middle East, in India, an explosion was heard near the Israeli embassy in the capital New Delhi, Israel’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Indian and Israeli officials are investigating the cause of the blast&nbsp;in which no one was hurt.

&nbsp;

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel is not only getting attacked by Hamas but also from other militant groups that are being harboured allegedly by the neighbouring countries, raising fears of regional escalation across the Gulf.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel is not only getting attacked by Hamas but also from other militant groups that are being harboured allegedly by the neighbouring countries, raising fears of regional escalation across the Gulf. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday (Dec 26), Gallant said Israel is engaged in a “multi-front war from seven sides: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria [an Israeli term for the West Bank], Iraq, Yemen and Iran”. “We have already responded and taken action in six of these theatres,” he told the Knesset, without specifying, reports Guardian. 'Unlikely that Israel-Hamas war will end soon' He also said that it was unlikely that the war with Gaza would come to an end anytime soon, adding “it will be a long, hard war. It has costs — heavy costs — but its justification is the highest that can be.” “Without meeting the goals of the war, we will find ourselves in a situation where… the problem will be that people will not want to live in a place where we do not know how to protect them,” he said at a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. “We need determination, endurance, strength, and national cohesion with the goals. It is a battle in which the one who survives is the one who is stronger at the national level, in its values, and in its unity. This is a battle of national determination, and I tell you that we will defeat Hamas,” Gallant added. The warning comes at a time when Yemen-based and Iran-backed Houthis have been stepping up their attack on US naval assets that are stationed in the Red Sea in the aftermath of the Israel-Gaza war. Escalation at Red Sea Apart from that, Israel and the powerful Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah have traded near-daily volleys of missiles, airstrikes and shelling across the frontier since October 7. On Saturday, the US defence department categorically blamed Iran for the first time since the Gaza conflict broke out for a drone attack targeting a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean. Also read | Israel mulling over increasing defence spending by US$8 billion in 2024 Tuesday’s explosions occurred a day after an Israeli airstrike outside the Syrian capital of Damascus killed a senior general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. An Iranian statement on national television said Israel would “pay for this crime”. Also read | Turkish parliamentary committee greenlights Sweden’s NATO bid Meanwhile, far across the Middle East, in India, an explosion was heard near the Israeli embassy in the capital New Delhi, Israel’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Indian and Israeli officials are investigating the cause of the blast in which no one was hurt.

Israel being attacked from seven sides, says Defence Minister Gallant, raises fear of escalation across Gulf

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday (Nov 11) warned Lebanon's Hezbollah not to escalate the conflict along the border.

"Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into a war that might happen," Gallant told troops in a video aired by Israeli television channels. "It is making mistakes and ... those who will pay the price are first and foremost Lebanon's citizens. What we are doing in Gaza we can do in Beirut."

Gallant's warning came after Hezbollah&nbsp;chief Hassan Nasrallah said that his group was deploying new types of weapons to hit targets in Israel further affirming that the front in the south against its foe would remain active.

Nasrallah said on Saturday there had been "an upgrade" in Hezbollah's operations along its front with Israel.&nbsp;

"There has been a quantitative improvement in the number of operations, the size and the number of targets, as well as an increase in the type of weapons," he said in a televised address.

Further elucidating on one of the weapons, Nasrallah said that this was the very first time the group deployed weaponised drones in the offensive.

"For the first time in the history of the resistance in Lebanon, we have used attack drones," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arab-countries-condemn-barbaric-war-against-palestinians-in-gaza-657669">Arab countries condemn "barbaric war" against Palestinians in Gaza</a>

"Also at the level of the type of missiles that entered the battle a few days ago and today as well, which is a type of missile that we call the Burkan (Volcano) was used, which targets sites. The Burkan is a missile that contains between 300 kilograms and 500 kilograms, meaning half a tonne of explosives," he added.

Since Hamas' Oct 7 assault against Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon's southern border has witnessed amplifying retaliations, specifically between Israel and Hezbollah.

So far, Israel has killed at least 68 Hezbollah fighters since last month, as per news agency AFP reports, as well as at least 11 civilians in Lebanon and 12 other combatants.

Six soldiers and two civilians have been killed in northern Israel.

Hezbollah's fighters "are putting themselves on the front line to launch rockets" at Israeli targets, Nasrallah said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday (Nov 11) warned Lebanon's Hezbollah not to escalate the conflict along the border. "Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into a war that might happen," Gallant told troops in a video aired by Israeli television channels.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday (Nov 11) warned Lebanon's Hezbollah not to escalate the conflict along the border. "Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into a war that might happen," Gallant told troops in a video aired by Israeli television channels. "It is making mistakes and ... those who will pay the price are first and foremost Lebanon's citizens. What we are doing in Gaza we can do in Beirut." Gallant's warning came after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said that his group was deploying new types of weapons to hit targets in Israel further affirming that the front in the south against its foe would remain active. Nasrallah said on Saturday there had been "an upgrade" in Hezbollah's operations along its front with Israel. "There has been a quantitative improvement in the number of operations, the size and the number of targets, as well as an increase in the type of weapons," he said in a televised address. Further elucidating on one of the weapons, Nasrallah said that this was the very first time the group deployed weaponised drones in the offensive. "For the first time in the history of the resistance in Lebanon, we have used attack drones," he said. Also read: Arab countries condemn "barbaric war" against Palestinians in Gaza "Also at the level of the type of missiles that entered the battle a few days ago and today as well, which is a type of missile that we call the Burkan (Volcano) was used, which targets sites. The Burkan is a missile that contains between 300 kilograms and 500 kilograms, meaning half a tonne of explosives," he added. Since Hamas' Oct 7 assault against Israel from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon's southern border has witnessed amplifying retaliations, specifically between Israel and Hezbollah. So far, Israel has killed at least 68 Hezbollah fighters since last month, as per news agency AFP reports, as well as at least 11 civilians in Lebanon and 12 other combatants. Six soldiers and two civilians have been killed in northern Israel. Hezbollah's fighters "are putting themselves on the front line to launch rockets" at Israeli targets, Nasrallah said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘What we are doing in Gaza we can do in Beirut,’ Israeli defence minister warns Hezbollah against escalation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (April 10) reinstated Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Addressing a press conference, Netanyahu said the two resolved their disagreement over Gallant's public call last month for a halt to the government's bitterly divisive judicial overhaul plan which he said became a threat to Israel's security. "I've decided to put our differences behind us," Netanyahu said, adding he and Gallant worked closely together throughout the last two weeks.

"Gallant remains in his post and we will continue to work together for the safety of the citizens of Israel," he told reporters.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-palestine-unrest-claims-two-more-lives-teenager-and-mother-of-two-become-the-latest-casualties-581140">Israel-Palestine unrest claims two more lives; teenager and mother of two become the latest casualties</a>

On March 26, the prime minister's decision to sack Gallant triggered mass protests. However, a report by the news agency Reuters on April 3 said Netanyahu delayed the dismissal of his defence minister.&nbsp;

On Monday, Netanyahu said he would restore calm and security to Israel following rising tensions over the last week. The country has witnessed heavy clashes, shootings, rocket strikes and a car-ramming attack since last week.&nbsp;

A day after the Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, over 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, an attack which the Israeli army said was most likely carried out by Hamas. Israel then responded by striking the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, targeting terror infrastructures that it said belonged to Hamas.

And last Friday, an Italian tourist was killed and seven others injured in a car-ramming attack in Tel Aviv.&nbsp;

This latest surge in unrest comes after Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a "pause" for dialogue on judicial reform legislation. Citing sources, the news agency AFP reported on Monday that the Israel-Palestine conflict this year claimed the lives of at least 94 Palestinians, 19 Israelis, one Ukrainian, and one Italian.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (April 10) reinstated Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Addressing a press conference, Netanyahu said the two resolved their disagreement over Gallant's public call last month for a halt to the government's bitterly divisive judicial overhaul plan which he said became a threat to Israel's security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (April 10) reinstated Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Addressing a press conference, Netanyahu said the two resolved their disagreement over Gallant's public call last month for a halt to the government's bitterly divisive judicial overhaul plan which he said became a threat to Israel's security. "I've decided to put our differences behind us," Netanyahu said, adding he and Gallant worked closely together throughout the last two weeks. "Gallant remains in his post and we will continue to work together for the safety of the citizens of Israel," he told reporters. ALSO READ | Israel-Palestine unrest claims two more lives; teenager and mother of two become the latest casualties On March 26, the prime minister's decision to sack Gallant triggered mass protests. However, a report by the news agency Reuters on April 3 said Netanyahu delayed the dismissal of his defence minister. On Monday, Netanyahu said he would restore calm and security to Israel following rising tensions over the last week. The country has witnessed heavy clashes, shootings, rocket strikes and a car-ramming attack since last week. A day after the Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, over 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, an attack which the Israeli army said was most likely carried out by Hamas. Israel then responded by striking the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, targeting terror infrastructures that it said belonged to Hamas. And last Friday, an Italian tourist was killed and seven others injured in a car-ramming attack in Tel Aviv. This latest surge in unrest comes after Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a "pause" for dialogue on judicial reform legislation. Citing sources, the news agency AFP reported on Monday that the Israel-Palestine conflict this year claimed the lives of at least 94 Palestinians, 19 Israelis, one Ukrainian, and one Italian. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'We will continue to work together': Israel PM Netanyahu reinstates Defence Minister Gallant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinstated Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Addressing a press conference, Netanyahu said the two resolved their disagreement over Gallant's public call last month for a halt to the government's bitterly divisive judicial overhaul plan which he said became a threat to Israel's security. "I've decided to put our differences behind us," Netanyahu said, adding he and Gallant worked closely together throughout the last two weeks.

`We will continue to work together', says Israel PM Netanyahu after reinstating his defence minister

Protests in Israel against the judicial reform have been going on from the past three months now. The demonstrations which initially used to be peaceful now often end up in confrontation with the security forces. This time too the clashes erupted between security forces and protesters after they tried to block a highway in Tel Aviv.

Israel protesters now 3-months strong; Defence Min Yoav Gallant appeals to halt investigation

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Pentagon chief meets Israeli defence minister, discusses 'iron-clad' commitment

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant leaves for high-level talks in Washington

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant departs for 'important' trip to US

Israel being attacked from seven sides, says Defence Minister Gallant, raises fear of escalation across Gulf

‘What we are doing in Gaza we can do in Beirut,’ Israeli defence minister warns Hezbollah against escalation

'We will continue to work together': Israel PM Netanyahu reinstates Defence Minister Gallant

`We will continue to work together', says Israel PM Netanyahu after reinstating his defence minister

Israel protesters now 3-months strong; Defence Min Yoav Gallant appeals to halt investigation

Israel protesters now 3-months strong; Defence Min Yoav Gallant appeals to halt investigation