WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel warned U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a call Tuesday that a military operation was going to take place in Lebanon but gave no details, U.S. officials said Thursday. The same day of the call, in an attack widely blamed on Israel, thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah militants exploded.
The call was one of four between Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week as attacks have spiked between Israel and Hezbollah, fueling worries that they could escalate into a wider regional war.
The two spoke again later Tuesday, and the U.S. has acknowledged being briefed following the attack. There was another call Wednesday, and they also spoke Sunday, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private talks.
The officials said the U.S. did not get advance warning of the second wave of attacks, with walkie-talkie radios targeted Wednesday. At least 37 people were killed, including two children, and some 3,000 wounded in the two days of explosions.
The officials stressed that the U.S. played no role in the attacks and said they were surprised by the specifics of the operations.
The attacks on electronic devices this week appeared to be the culmination of a monthslong operation by Israel to target as many Hezbollah members as possible all at once — but civilians were also hit.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh on Thursday acknowledged the four calls but did not provide timelines of when they happened. She said the U.S. has not made any changes in its force posture in the region as a result of the recent surge in attacks.
During a call Wednesday with Gallant, Austin spoke about regional security developments and reiterated America’s unwavering support for Israel in the face of threats from Iran, Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies in the region, Singh said.
Austin “emphasized the U.S. commitment to deterring regional adversaries, deescalating tensions across the region, and reaffirmed the priority of reaching a cease-fire deal that would bring home hostages held by Hamas,” she said.
He also pushed for a diplomatic solution that would allow civilians on both sides of Israel's northern border with Lebanon to return to their homes, Singh said.
Asked about the potential for a U.S. military evacuation of American citizens in Lebanon, Singh said the Pentagon has not gotten a request from the State Department to do that. State did urge U.S. citizens in Lebanon to maintain a low profile and review their security awareness in alerts this week.
State Department and White House officials say there are longstanding contingency plans for the potential evacuation of Americans in Lebanon but they have no information to suggest that those will become operational anytime soon.
“We have evacuation plans available for places all over the world,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday. “But I wouldn’t lead that to believe that we’re in a moment now where we think we need to imminently call for that or act on that right now.”
Other officials said U.S. Navy ships with Marines on board are already well-positioned in the Mediterranean Sea to assist if asked.
AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a Sept. 11 observance ceremony at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
BERGAMO, Italy (AP) — The first save was great. The second was even better.
David Raya came to Arsenal's rescue in the Champions League on Thursday with a double save from a penalty that was celebrated by his teammates as wildly as a goal being scored.
It preserved a 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the opening round of matches in the revamped tournament, and provided a further demonstration of the shot-stopping qualities of a goalkeeper more renowned for his ability with the ball at his feet.
The Spain international dived to his right to block the 51st-minute spot kick taken by Mateo Retegui, after Thomas Partey tripped Ederson. Raya quickly got to his feet, scrambled across his line and then used his left arm to claw away a header from Retegui off the goal line after the ball had rebounded out to the Italy striker.
“I was lucky to go the right way and save it,” Raya said. “I was unlucky to put the rebound straight to him but I was quick enough to get up and save the rebound. It is fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and to help the team at least get a point.”
Raya gave a big roar and was mobbed by Arsenal's players in the goalmouth. The goalkeeper performed a similar scrambling save on the goal line in the Premier League this season at Aston Villa to deny Ollie Watkins, before Arsenal went on to score twice in the second half for a 2-0 win.
There were no late goals this time for Mikel Arteta's team, whose creativity and attacking spark has been hit by an ankle injury sustained by captain Martin Odegaard while playing for Norway during the recent international break.
Odegaard has “significant” ankle ligament damage that will keep him out of action for “a while,” Arteta said before the Atalanta game.
Without its attacking midfielder, Arsenal underwhelmed before grabbing a goal from a corner in a 1-0 win over north London rival Tottenham on Sunday and was kept goalless by Atalanta, managing only two shots on target in Bergamo.
Manchester City is up next for Arsenal on Sunday in a meeting between the two favorites for the Premier League title.
With its attacking strength damaged, Arsenal might have to rely on a strong defensive performance to keep City at bay — like the team did last season in a 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium.
With Raya in such great form, it could happen again.
“I’m in a good way now,” said Raya, who joined Arsenal from Brentford at the start of last season and took the goalkeeper jersey from Aaron Ramsdale in a big call by Arteta. “I have things to improve, as always, but of course I’m in a good place right now.”
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said Raya has “gone to the next level.”
“There was massive pressure on him," Rice said. “He was our No. 1 last season and obviously now he is fully No. 1 — there are no questions about that anymore. He's really focused and that's three games this season he has made crucial saves for us.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya, centre, makes a save during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya applauds after the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya claims the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in London, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Arsenal's Raheem Sterling, centre left, and Atalanta's Juan Cuadrado challenge for the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta, right, and Ben White talk during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Atalanta's Mateo Retegui, right, misses to score a penalty during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Atalanta's Mateo Retegui, right, misses to score a penalty during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Arsenal at the Bergamo's stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
