US Secretary of Defense: War between Israel and Hezbollah not inevitable

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that he does not believe a confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah is inevitable.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Manila, Austin expressed hope that the situation could be resolved through diplomatic means.

Austin's comments followed security discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their Philippine counterparts, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.