JERUSALEM/BEIRUT. U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a crucial discussion on Wednesday regarding potential Israeli retaliation following Iran’s missile strike last week. The call took place as Lebanon’s Hezbollah fighters reported pushing back Israeli forces along the tense border, further escalating regional tensions.
The ongoing ground clashes along Lebanon’s southern mountainous frontier have coincided with the Gaza war, keeping the Middle East on high alert. The region is bracing for Israel’s next move after the missile strike by Tehran, which Iran claims was in response to Israel’s military operations aimed at weakening Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group.
The phone conversation between Biden and Netanyahu, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was described as “direct and very productive” by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She acknowledged the differences between the two leaders but emphasized their openness in addressing disagreements. “They have disagreements, but they discuss them candidly,” Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the call but did not disclose specifics. However, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, noted that it was “a positive call, and we appreciate the support of the U.S.” The White House later reported that Biden encouraged Netanyahu to minimize civilian harm in Lebanon, underscoring the U.S. stance on reducing the impact on innocent lives amid military operations.
Biden also reiterated his condemnation of Iran’s missile attack on Israel and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, particularly against Hezbollah’s advances. However, he urged for renewed diplomacy in handling the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a wider regional war.
Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have been strained recently, particularly regarding Israel’s handling of the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. The U.S. has made efforts to prevent a further escalation of hostilities and has attempted, without success, to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza war, which has raged for over a year between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hamas.
Israel’s vow to make Iran “pay” for the missile attack has heightened concerns of a broader conflict in the oil-rich region. While the missile strike caused limited damage, Tehran has warned that any Israeli retaliation would lead to “vast destruction,” fueling fears of a wider war that could potentially draw in the United States.
Biden, in his previous comments, discouraged Israel from striking Iranian oil fields and made it clear that he would not support any action targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was initially scheduled to meet his U.S. counterpart in Washington on Wednesday to strengthen coordination regarding Iran, but he canceled the visit after Netanyahu reportedly set preconditions, including the phone call with Biden.
Analysts suggest that Israel’s likely response to Iran’s October 1 missile strike would involve targeting Iranian military installations, particularly those linked to the production of ballistic missiles. Israeli media also reported that Gallant confirmed plans for a lethal strike against Iran, saying in a video on Wednesday, “Our attack will be deadly, precise, and above all, surprising.”
As both sides continue to weigh their options, the world watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation in a region already on the brink of further violence.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
