“Israeli” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in a call with the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, said that the “State of Israel is working to achieve a framework for the release of hostages…especially during these times.”

According to the call’s readout issued by his office, Gallant gave an update on the “precise operation” that killed Hezbollah’s top commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut yesterday evening.

Shukr is believed to be Hezbollah’s 2nd-in-command, behind only Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah, and “Israel” claims that he orchestrated the rocket attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, which killed 12 youngsters.

Gallant said the operation was “a direct response to Hezbollah’s attack and the murder of 12 children in the northern Israeli town of Majdal Shams,” and further claimed that “Israel does not seek war. However, the IDF remains prepared to defend its citizens and to respond to any attack by Hezbollah.”

For his part, Austin reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to “Israel’s” security and right to self-defense – according to the U.S. Department of Defense’s readout.