Netanyahu and Biden hold 30-min ‘direct and productive call’ regarding Lebanon, Gaza, Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday evening, held a half-hour phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden for the first time in over a month. 

U.S. media reports suggest that Biden is increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu’s handling of the war and his tendency to act independently of U.S. attempts to pursue political resolutions to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. 

However, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described their conversation as “direct and very productive” when she spoke to reporters after the call.

She acknowledged that the two leaders have had disagreements regarding Israel’s operations but said both are frank and open with one another about them. 

Notably, while many had expected Netanyahu and Biden to discuss Israel’s anticipated retaliatory strike on Iran, following its ballistic missile attack on Israel last week, the official White House readout of the call did not mention an Israeli strike. 

According to the readout, Biden “condemned unequivocally Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel” and “affirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.” 

In a message released shortly after the phone call ended on Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant directly threatened Israel’s enemies. 

“Our attack in Iran will be deadly, precise, and surprising,” he warned. “Those who try to harm the State of Israel will pay a price.” 

Gallant was scheduled to travel to Washington for meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin early Wednesday morning but postponed the trip, following Netanyahu's directive, until after the phone call with Biden.

In Washington, Gallant is expected to coordinate Israel’s strike with the U.S., to allow the U.S. military to make adequate preparations for any retaliations. 

According to reports in The New York Times and the Washington Post, Biden administration officials are increasingly frustrated, as Netanyahu appears to be withholding information regarding Israel’s plans for a strike on Iran. 

Biden has publicly stated he does not want Israeli forces to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities or its oil fields. 

The administration reportedly also felt blindsided by Israel’s decision to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah just days after the U.S. and France announced a ceasefire proposal for Lebanon. Shortly after that attack, Israel began its ground incursion into southern Lebanon, aiming to drive Hezbollah beyond the Litani River. 

While Biden has been described by U.S. media as being livid with Netanyahu, even reportedly using expletives to express his frustration, Israeli media report that Netanyahu is frustrated with Biden’s constant attempts to impose ceasefires on Israel, which he believes have prevented Israel from making further tactical achievements in its battle against Hamas and Hezbollah forces.