Israel says US backs striking Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah attacks north

Israel's defense minister said Tuesday Washington had given its backing to potential Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern Dahieh suburb if the Iran-backed group attacked northern Israeli communities.

"The Prime Minister and I led a coordinated move together with the IDF to establish a new equation... If Israeli towns continue to be attacked, we will evacuate and strike the Shiite Dahieh quarter in Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold," Israel Katz said at a conference, a defense ministry statement said.

"The United States endorsed this principle and conveyed it to the Lebanese government and all relevant actors... either the fire on Israeli communities stops, or -- if fire continues -- we will strike in Dahieh. This equation will be upheld."