Austin Warns That Israel-Hezbollah Clash Could Touch Off New War

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that a war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah would have “terrible consequences,” as the Biden administration struggles to avert a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Austin spoke Tuesday at the Pentagon alongside Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is visiting Washington this week. His remarks were intended as much for Israeli officials who threaten to open a new offensive against Hezbollah, which has fired barrages of rockets on northern Israel in recent days.

“Hezbollah’s provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war that they do ...