Israeli and German defence ministers discuss Middle East conflict

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has spoken with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius about the tense situation in the Middle East.

After the phone call on Wednesday Gallant spoke of an "important discussion with my friend." He had informed Pistorius "about the security developments and threats from Iran and its allies against Israel and the entire region."

He thanked the German minister for standing by Israel. "The free world must unite against the biggest troublemaker and exporter of terror - Iran," Gallant said, according to his office.

Israeli army radio reported that Gallant had spoken to the defence ministers of the US, Britain, Germany and Italy in recent days as part of an attempt to "recruit as many partners as possible for an international coalition that would support Israel."

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday in Berlin that the talks between Gallant and Pistorius were about an overview of the situation.

The Israeli military is currently on high alert. The country is expecting a retaliatory strike from Iran and its allies in the region.

Tehran has announced "harsh punishment" for Israel after the political leader of the Palestinian organization Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was deliberately killed in the Iranian capital Tehran a week ago. Iran and Hamas hold Israel responsible for the attack.

Just a few hours earlier, Israel killed the senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital Beirut with an airstrike. The Shiite Hezbollah militia is one of Iran's most loyal allies.