The circumstances have changed again in the entrenched Middle Eastern conflict, necessitating an urgent call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, one week after Netanyahu was in Washington to address lawmakers.
The new crisis stems from Iran’s claim that Israeli forces assassinated a Hamas leader in Tehran this week.
Biden’s Commitment to Israel
During Thursday’s call between Biden, Harris, and Netanyahu, Biden repeated his firm commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself from threats from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis terrorist group.
U.S. Support for Israel’s Defense
The White House said, “The President discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments.”
Calls for De-escalation
While conveying his support for Netanyahu and Israel’s right to defend itself, Biden also urged Netanyahu to diffuse and de-escalate tensions in the region amidst a new crisis that emerged this week when Iran alleged Israeli forces killed a top Hamas figure in Iran.
Israeli Responsibility Questioned
Israel has not stated whether it is responsible for the death of Ismail Haniyeh, who was visiting Iran for a Presidential inauguration. The accusation came from Iran and Hamas to western media outlets.
Israel’s Strategic Achievements
Though Israel did not take credit for the assassination, Netanyahu publicly remarked shortly after that Israel was achieving its goals.
Iranian Retaliation Threats
Following the attack, Iran publicly vowed to retaliate against Israel, causing alarm about the potential expansion of the regional conflict even further.
Concerns of Escalation
Many are concerned that the tensions in the region could lead to all-out war.
Harris’s Involvement
The White House announced that Harris was on Thursday’s call with Biden and Netanyahu. Harris was not present at Netanyahu’s address before a joint session of Congress last Wednesday.
Harris’s Diplomatic Efforts
Though she missed his address, Harris met with Netanyahu in person last week, where she conveyed her insistence that Israel and Hamas reach a cease-fire deal promptly.
Harris’s Potential Stance
Political analysts expect Harris to be more critical of Israel and sympathetic to the Palestinians in Gaza regarding the prolonged humanitarian crisis and conflict in the region.
Democrat Fatigue
Many Democrats have grown weary of the ten-month-long war that started in October 2023 when Hamas entered Israel and kidnapped hostages on October 7.
Humanitarian Impact
Since that time, millions of Palestinians have been displaced, nearly 40,000 have been killed, and many hostages have yet to be returned to their families.
Iran’s Retaliation Strategy
Currently, Iran and its proxies will meet to prepare a retaliation strategy against Israel for the attack, with many world leaders hoping that the actions will not escalate or trigger a world war.
