Biden promises Netanyahu ‘new US defensive military deployments’ as Israel braces for revenge
- Netanyahu says attackers would pay a ‘very heavy price’ after Israel’s enemies threatened retaliation for assassinations
US President Joe Biden promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “new defensive US military deployments” as Israel faces vows to avenge assassinations of leaders from Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.
Biden “reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis,” the White House said in a readout of a call Thursday evening Washington time. “The president discussed efforts to support Israel’s defence against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive US military deployments.”
No details of the new deployments were immediately offered.
Tempering the talk of military strength, the president “stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to de-escalate broader tensions in the region,” according to the summary of the call, which was also joined by Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is poised to be the Democratic nominee as Biden’s successor.
Netanyahu said earlier Thursday that his country “is in a very high level of preparedness” for efforts to avenge the two assassinations in one night of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah.
