Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday and discussed his concerns about the safety of United Nations workers in Lebanon who say they have been targeted by Israeli troops.

Austin, who spoke to Gallant for the first time since canceling an in-person meeting in Washington on Wednesday, said in the call that he supports Israel’s right to defend itself, but also expressed concerns regarding the security of peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. (UNIFIL).

“Secretary Austin also emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of UNIFIL forces in the region and urged coordinated efforts to transition from military operations to a diplomatic channel as soon as possible,” the Pentagon said in a statement. minutes of the meeting.

UNIFIL said in a post on social platform X that its headquarters in the town of Naqoura was hit by an explosion on Friday for the second time in two days, injuring two peacekeepers. The group also criticized the Israeli military for destroying infrastructure.

“This is a serious development, and UNIFIL reiterates that the safety and security of UN personnel and assets must be guaranteed and that the inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times “, wrote the organization.

Israel said in a report Friday that troops operating in southern Lebanon fired at a threat near the U.N. headquarters in Naqoura and confirmed that two peacekeepers were wounded.

“Hours before the incident, the IDF ordered UNIFIL personnel to enter the protected areas and remain there. This instruction was in effect at the time of the incident,” the Israeli military said. “The IDF is in contact with UNIFIL for coordination purposes and will continue to do so. »

The army said it was “continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident” but also blamed the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying it “deliberately operates with the intention of harming Israeli civilians in areas civilians and near UNIFIL posts, thereby endangering UNIFIL personnel.”

UNIFIL also accused Israel on Thursday of injuring peacekeepers and targeting infrastructure for UN operations. The army responded that it “maintained regular communication with UNIFIL” and had directed the peacekeepers to a safe location.

Israel moved into Lebanon in late September as part of what it claims are limited operations against Hezbollah intended to ensure that the estimated 60,000 displaced Israeli residents at the border can return home safely. Hezbollah has been firing rockets across the border into Israel for more than a year in solidarity with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel is accused of disproportionate attacks against civilians in Lebanon, similar to accusations in Gaza, where more than 42,000 people have been killed. Around 1,200 people were killed by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, invasion that started the war, and Palestinian fighters also took some 250 hostages.

In Lebanon, more than 2,100 people have been killed since the start of the war. A deadly Israeli strike targeting central Beirut on Thursday killed 22 people and injured 117 others in the deadliest attack in the center of the capital since the start of the war.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit The Hill.