Biden Warns Netanyahu Against Further Escalation Amid Rising Regional Tensions.
American President Joe Biden firmly instructed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease escalating actions and concentrate on a ceasefire agreement and the hostage situation in Gaza during a critical phone call on Thursday. This comes as the possibility of a greater regional conflict increases in the wake of controversial Israeli operations in Tehran and Beirut.
“I had a very direct meeting with the prime minister today. Very direct,” Biden told reporters on Thursday night, describing his call with Netanyahu.
Following Israel’s recent killings of two prominent figures—Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran, and Fuad Shukr, the military commander of Hezbollah, in Beirut—the Biden administration is growing more and more frustrated. Biden and his team were blindsided by these actions, as they happened soon after Netanyahu’s first visit to the Oval Office in four years.
While U.S. had declared Shukr and Haniyeh as Terrorists, they are worried about the wider ramifications. They argue that Netanyahu’s actions go against his earlier statements suggesting he was focused on reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
During the call to discuss U.S.-Israel joint military preparations for retaliations by Iran and Hezbollah, Biden made it clear that while the U.S. will support Israel against any Iranian retaliation, it expects Israel to stop further escalations and move quickly on a hostage and ceasefire deal. According to a U.S. official, Biden was upset with Netanyahu for the assassinations in Tehran even though their most recent conversations were centered on a Gaza agreement.
Biden’s message was crystal clear: further Israeli actions could jeopardize U.S. support. The White House chose not to comment on the call. However, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement: “Prime Minister Netanyahu told President Biden that he appreciates the American support, and as Prime Minister of Israel, he acts solely according to the security needs of the State of Israel.
“Viewing this as a critical component of his legacy, Biden is actively involved in the ceasefire and hostage negotiations. Officials claim that Biden has pushed for a speedy settlement of the ongoing dispute, as he has been emotionally invested in it.During their Oval Office meeting, Biden reportedly raised his voice, stressing the urgency of reaching a Gaza deal. According to three Israeli officials with knowledge of the meeting, “Biden raised his voice and said he wants a deal reached within a week to two weeks. [He] told Netanyahu that a hostage and ceasefire deal is the most important thing right now,” the Israeli official added.There is a basis for a ceasefire, Biden told reporters about his conversation with Netanyahu, emphasizing that Netanyahu should “move on it now.”
About the assassination of Hamas chief Haniyeh, Biden remarked, “It hasn’t helped.”Maintaining regional stability in the Middle East is crucial, and the stakes are high. A strategic U.S. effort to prevent further escalation and advance a long-term peace agreement is reflected in Biden’s firm warning to Netanyahu. The president’s concern about rising tensions highlights the delicate balance that must be maintained to avoid a larger, more destructive conflict.The international community is keeping a close eye as negotiations for the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release enter what U.S. officials describe as the “closing stages.”
The results of these initiatives could have a big impact on how the Middle East develops in the future. The world watches and hopes that diplomacy will prevail over further violence.
Report By Ayesha Azhar, Intern At The Pakistan Frontier.