Biden and Netanyahu maintain “direct and productive” call – DW – 10/09/2024

The US President, Joe Biden, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, held a “direct and meaningful” phone call this Wednesday (10/09/2024), which was also attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, the White House reports.

At a press conference, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre reported that the call was “direct and productive” and that the two leaders discussed “a range of issues”, without confirming whether they talked about that. How will Israel respond to Iran’s attack on its territory with about 200 missiles launched on October 1?

The spokesperson indicated that the conversation lasted for about 30 minutes. According to The Times of Israel, which cites a source in Netanyahu’s office, they spoke for 50 minutes.

Before Jean-Pierre’s press conference, the White House announced in a brief statement that Harris, the Democratic nominee for the November 5 election, participated in the call that Biden and Netanyahu had planned.

For now, without giving details

Neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the White House has yet disclosed its contents. The White House has promised to release a statement with details.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office published a photo in which the prime minister can be seen with his team during talks with Biden. This is the first exchange between Biden and Netanyahu since August 21.

Since then, Israel has escalated the military confrontation with the Shia group Hezbollah since the beginning of the war in Gaza, bombing not only its northern border but also cities such as Beirut, and launching what it calls Says. “Limited” ground offensive in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, a movement considered terrorist by the European Union and other countries.

In these bombings, Israel has killed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader for three decades, and just yesterday Netanyahu announced that it has also killed Hashem Safi al-Din, who was reportedly chosen to succeed him.

CT (EFE, CNN)