Lloyd Austin says he would recommend Israel strike military targets

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declined to say whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a reliable ally, even as he reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel's defense. 

"There's been growing frustration by you and others in the administration that during the past year, Israel has not been careful enough about civilian casualties in Gaza and now in Lebanon. The U.S. has been blindsided at times, with Israel not telling it in advance about striking certain targets. And that has threatened to spread the war as well as draw the U.S. into a direct conflict with Iran. Is Netanyahu a reliable ally?" Fox News asked Austin in an exclusive interview from Rome. 

"I won't comment on the prime minister," Austin said.

"We're going to continue to support Israel in its right to defend itself. Protecting civilians in the battlespace and achieving military objectives are not mutually exclusive.

"I continuously emphasize the need to make sure that they're doing the right things, to prevent excessive casualties," said the secretary. "Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah have made this a tough fight… putting their military command post in ammunition stores, underneath hospitals and in schools and mosques."

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The conversation, conducted ahead of Austin's private audience with Pope Francis, came as the world awaits Israel's response to Iran raining down some 200 missiles on Tel Aviv on Oct. 1.