Over a week has passed since Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles into Israel, leaving the world anxiously awaiting Israel’s response. Three US officials have disclosed to Axios that President Biden is scheduled for a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today to discuss Israel’s planned course of action.
President Biden speaking on the phone
Claudia Lavanga reports that, according to two US officials familiar with the situation, Israel has not yet provided the United States with specifics regarding their potential response to Iran’s attack last week. However, they confirmed that the US has been engaged in discussions about potentially joining and supporting Israel’s retaliation efforts, leveraging their intelligence capabilities and considering air strikes.
A previously arranged meeting between Israel’s Defense Minister, Gallant, and US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, scheduled for Wednesday in Washington, was abruptly postponed by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at a podium
While no official explanation was given for the change in plans, US officials familiar with the meeting believe the postponement was driven by concerns that Israel might retaliate against Iran while Gallant was in Washington.
Adding to the tension, Prime Minister Netanyahu released a pre-recorded video message claiming that Israel had eliminated individuals believed to be successors to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. While he refrained from naming specific individuals, it is widely speculated that one of those targeted was Hashem Safadin, who is believed to have been killed in Beirut during an airstrike last week.
In a stern warning directed at the Lebanese people, Netanyahu urged them to rid themselves of Hezbollah if they wished to avoid suffering a fate similar to that of Gaza.
“You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza. I say to you, the people of Lebanon, free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end. Free your country from Hezbollah so that your country could prosper again.”
A map highlighting the location of Lebanon
This stark caution serves as a reminder to the Lebanese people, who neither sought nor initiated this conflict, of the precarious position they find themselves in.
