US claims it was not in the loop

The US has admitted that it was not kept in the loop by Israel when it struck and killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, despite being a strong supporter and aid-giver to Tel Aviv.

President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he had not received any advance warning and was not involved. It was only 24 hours later, after both Israel and Hezbollah had confirmed Nasrallah was killed, that Biden released a carefully worded statement declaring the death a "measure of justice."

Israel informed the US it was launching a major operation in Beirut only after it was underway to the frustration of some American officials who pointed to repeated examples of Netanyahu defying Biden's public and private entreaties for restraint.