On Monday, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby warned that the United States must brace for potential ‘significant’ attacks on Israel, which could occur this week amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East. This announcement follows President Joe Biden’s discussions with leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, as the US seeks to reduce tensions in the region.
“We share the same concerns and expectations that our Israeli counterparts have with respect to potential timing here. Could be this week,” Kirby told reporters, according to The Times of Israel.
“We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks,” he said.
The call, according to Kirby, was “largely for all the leaders to repeat what they have said before in terms of reaffirming Israel’s defence” as well as “send a strong message that we don’t want to see any rise in violence, any attacks by Iran or its proxies.”
In a joint statement on Monday, US President Biden and the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy urged Iran to de-escalate its threats of a military attack against Israel.
The joint statement, according to the White House, read, “We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place.”
It also highlighted the critical need for the delivery and distribution of aid.
“We expressed our full support for ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. We endorsed the joint call from President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt, and Amir Tamim of Qatar to renew talks later this week with an aim to concluding the deal as soon as possible, and stressed there is no further time to lose,” the joint statement read.
“All parties must live up to their responsibilities. In addition, unfettered delivery and distribution of aid is needed. We expressed our support for the defence of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups,” it added.
Following the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, which led to Iranian promises of “punishment,” Israel is bracing for possible retaliation. While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Haniyeh’s death, it had previously threatened to target him and other senior Hamas leaders for their role in the October 7 attacks. Tensions in West Asia intensified after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported on July 31 that Haniyeh had been killed in an attack in Tehran. According to the IRGC, Haniyeh and a bodyguard were killed when their residence was struck in Tehran. Press TV reported that a projectile hit a residence designated for war veterans at 2 am local time on Wednesday.
The IDF also reported the death of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on July 30. This action was in response to a rocket attack on the Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of 12 children.
According to an IDF statement, Fuad Shukr, described as the “most senior Hezbollah military commander,” was killed in the Israeli strike. Shukr was a member of the Jihad Council, Hezbollah’s highest military authority, and was regarded as the head of its strategic division.
Since the attack on October 7 by Hamas, he has been overseeing Hezbollah’s operations against Israel, including the recent deadly strike in Majdal Shams that resulted in the deaths of 12 children, according to the military.