Israel is deep in discussions with its primary ally, the United States, to finalize the scale and intensity of its retaliation against Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Wednesday that the response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack would be “lethal” and “surprising.”
“Our strike will be lethal, precise, and, above all, unexpected. They won’t comprehend what hit them. The results will speak for themselves,” Gallant declared in a fiery address to Israeli troops. “Whoever dares to strike us will suffer and pay the price,” he emphasized, as reported by the Associated Press.
The Israeli government has promised a severe retaliation for Iran’s October 1 missile attack, which Tehran claimed was in response to Israel’s assassination of Hasan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israel has been engaged in talks with Washington to determine the magnitude of its next move.
Netanyahu-Biden Talks
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a 30-minute phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss the planned response to Iran. According to the White House, the conversation was “direct and very productive,” though both leaders were candid about their differing views on several issues.
President Biden condemned Iran’s actions while urging diplomacy to ease tensions in Gaza. He reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah but also pressed Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties in Lebanon. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the call, though it refrained from offering further details. The two leaders agreed to maintain close communication in the coming days.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon described the call as “positive,” expressing gratitude for the U.S.’s unwavering support.
U.S. Concerns Over Lebanon and Gaza
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller issued a stark warning on Wednesday, urging Israel to refrain from carrying out military actions in Lebanon that resemble its operations in Gaza. “We are making it very clear—there should be no military engagement in Lebanon that mirrors what has happened in Gaza, with similar outcomes,” Miller stressed.
The U.S. is particularly troubled by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in northern Gaza, where intensified Israeli strikes have led to blocked roads and stalled aid efforts, especially in the town of Jabaliya. Miller noted that the dire humanitarian situation has been the focus of “urgent discussions” between U.S. and Israeli officials.
In northern Gaza, Israeli forces have escalated attacks, which they say are aimed at thwarting Hamas’ regrouping efforts. However, the relentless bombardment has exacerbated the humanitarian disaster, drawing sharp international scrutiny.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
