The 30-minute call was the first time Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu have spoken since August and came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah. But the discussions offered no indication of a potential ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the call as "direct and very constructive," adding that the two leaders had many disagreements and had been transparent about them.
The Middle East has been extremely tense in recent times as it awaits Israel’s response to the missile attack that Tehran carried out last week in response to Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon. The Iranian attack caused no casualties in Israel.
After calling the October 1 attack a failure, Gallant said: "Those who attack us will suffer and pay a heavy price. Our attack will be strong, precise and most importantly unexpected, they will not understand what happened and how it happened, they will only see the consequences.
Netanyahu has vowed to make arch-rival Iran pay for the missile attack, while Tehran has said any response would cause widespread devastation, raising concerns about a wider regional war that could drag the United States into the fray.
The US government has consistently supported Israel’s pursuit of Iranian-backed targets such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Overall, the US has failed in its efforts to stem the widening conflict, pave the way for a ceasefire in Gaza, and persuade Israel to limit its rocket attacks on civilian areas that could kill thousands.
Biden and Netanyahu have had a strained relationship, largely over the Israeli leader’s handling of the Gaza war and the conflict with Hezbollah. Israel has said it will continue its military operations until Israelis are safe.
In “War,” a book to be published next week, reporter Bob Woodward reports that Biden frequently accused Netanyahu of having no clear strategy, and that in July, after Israeli airstrikes near Beirut and in Iran, Biden shouted at Netanyahu: “Bibi, what the hell are you doing?”
Asked about the book, a US official familiar with communications between the two leaders said Biden frequently used strong, direct, unfiltered language to communicate with and describe Netanyahu.
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said the call on Wednesday had been "very positive, and we appreciate the US support".
Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen.
"As we said before, Israel will respond to that attack… We will choose the location to respond. Iran will be deeply hurt by this response."
Gallant canceled a visit to the Pentagon on Wednesday, the Pentagon said. In a statement, Gallant said he postponed the visit at Netanyahu’s request until Netanyahu spoke with Biden.
Tensions have been high in recent weeks as U.S. officials have been caught off guard by Israeli actions, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and an attack that has yet to be confirmed or denied by Israel on messaging and radio equipment used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon.
Israel has also stalled in sharing details of its response to Iran's ballistic missile attack, the source said.
Biden said Friday that if he were Israel’s leader, he would consider alternatives to the plan to attack Iran’s oil fields. He also said Israel had not yet decided how to respond to Iran. He also said last week that he would not support Israel if the administration decided to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Election issues
Mr. Biden has faced criticism from international partners as well as within the Democratic Party for failing to use leverage, including his role as an arms supplier to Israel, to deter attacks by Israel.
More broadly, Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice president and the Democratic presidential nominee for the November 5, 2024, election, has also faced multiple calls to explain the policies of the current administration during the campaign. Harris was on the call between Biden and Netanyahu, a source familiar with the matter said.
Some Arab American voters in Michigan are backing independent candidate Jill Stein, a move that could cost Harris the battle in a swing state and, by extension, the presidential race against former Republican President Donald Trump, a race that polls show is very close.
Harris is trailing Trump in Michigan with 47% support compared to Trump's 50%, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. In a September 18 poll, Harris had 50% of the vote and Trump had 45%.
The Israeli government in general and Mr. Netanyahu in particular have faced much condemnation for the more than 42,000 Palestinians killed in the war in Gaza and more than 2,000 killed in Lebanon.
Nguyen Quang Minh (According to Reuters)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/israel-cam-ket-dap-tra-manh-tay-nham-vao-iran-204241010140807808.htm
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