Israel still undecided on Iran as attacks on Beirut increase world news

Israel said the attacks on Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, as well as the ground incursions in the south of the country, are necessary because diplomatic efforts have failed to prevent Hezbollah missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.

Israel's offensive in Lebanon has killed hundreds of people and displaced more than a million people from their homes, the Lebanese government said. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced near the border with Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks last year killed around 25 civilians.

A day before the cabinet meeting, US President Joe Biden had his first phone call with Netanyahu in almost six weeks. The two discussed Iran's Oct. 1 salvo — which caused little damage but forced millions of Israelis into shelters and killed one man in the West Bank — and Israel's response.

Biden warned Israel against attacking Iran's oil export facilities and nuclear facilities, which Tehran would consider particularly provocative. He promised to respond aggressively to any attack against him.

The United States is pressuring Israel to limit its response to military targets against Iran and is also proposing a new round of economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic, according to people familiar with the matter.

Washington aims to give Netanyahu an off-ramp that will allow him to resist calls for harsh retaliation from hard-line nationalists in his coalition, as well as some opposition leaders. There is no guarantee he will accept, especially since the Biden administration is reluctant to cut off arms supplies to Israel or take other steps that could force Netanyahu to act.

The United States, European and Arab states fear that a major Israeli attack on Iran could trigger a regional war that would directly bind Washington, increase energy prices and harm the global economy. Biden is particularly interested in keeping the Middle East as calm as possible ahead of the November 5 US elections.

Iranian President Masoud Pezheshkian is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan on Friday. The two countries have strengthened economic and defense ties in recent years and this will be the leaders' first meeting since Pezeshkian was elected earlier this year. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say over Iran's foreign and military policy, but the president has influence in both areas.

In Lebanon, parliament speaker Nabih Berri – Hezbollah's main ally – said that France and the United Kingdom were trying to reach a ceasefire agreement between the group and Israel. But, he said, “US rejection continues to be an obstacle,” according to comments broadcast on Al-Jaded TV.

The United States has stated that it supports Israel's military operation against Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries. However, he says he wants a diplomatic solution “ultimately”.

Israel sent troops to Lebanon last week. It has four divisions – each generally consisting of 5,000 to 10,000 soldiers – operating in southern Lebanon or border areas. They are trying to destroy Hezbollah sites and weapons caches, as well as expel its fighters from the border area.

Fighting between Israel and Hamas – another Iranian-backed militant group – continues in Gaza and ceasefire negotiations have been stalled for months. On Thursday, Israel announced the deaths of three soldiers in the Palestinian territories.

Still, Israel has severely weakened Hamas over the past year, killing perhaps half of its roughly 35,000 fighters, allowing it to shift its northern border and Hezbollah's main focus.

Hamas launched the war in Gaza by invading Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Hezbollah began shooting at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, which is also designated a terrorist group by the United States and others.

Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, the Hamas-run health ministry said.