President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday for the first time in months. The call, which lasted about 30 minutes, focused on a "range of issues" according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who described the conversation as "direct" and "productive."
As reported by ABC News, a US official familiar with the call revealed that the majority of the discussion centered on Israel's potential retaliation against Iran following last week's missile attack. The Iranian strikes, largely intercepted by Israel with assistance from the US military, resulted in minimal damage and no significant loss of life.
While Netanyahu didn't outline a fully developed strategy for retaliation, US officials expressed optimism about the level of information shared during the call. Sources close to the discussion indicated that Israeli leadership showed openness to American suggestions, particularly regarding potential targets. The Biden administration reportedly advocated for focusing on conventional military objectives, steering clear of nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure.
The call also addressed Israel's ongoing campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite the strained relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, the US official described the atmosphere of the conversation as cordial.
Vice President Kamala Harris joined the call, underscoring the importance of the discussion. The White House readout stated that both leaders agreed to maintain close contact in the coming days, both directly and through their respective teams.
"They will not understand what happened and how," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, referring to Israel's planned response to Iran's attack, which he characterized as "deadly, precise, and above all surprising."
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's scheduled meeting with Gallant in Washington was postponed, and Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh directed questions about the postponement to the Israeli government.
Benny Gantz, Israel's former defense minister, criticized the trip's cancellation on social media platform X, stating it harmed Israel's national security "for personal and political considerations."
Former President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Netanyahu "about a week ago," according to the prime minister's office. The call, initiated by Trump, included congratulations on "the determined and powerful actions that Israel carried out against Hezbollah."
When asked about the Trump-Netanyahu call, Jean-Pierre refrained from commenting directly, instead emphasizing the Biden administration's ongoing support for Israel's security. She noted that President Biden has had "more than a dozen conversations" with Netanyahu since Oct. 7, 2023.
