Middle East updates: Biden, Netanyahu to talk Iran response

US President Joe Biden will hold a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s reaction to the Iranian rocket attack which took place on October 1, US outlet Axios reported.

The two leaders will talk for the first time after two tense months, Axios reported, citing three unnamed US officials.

The call aims to "try and shape the limitations of the Israeli retaliation." Officials told Axios the Israeli response was expected to be significant.

Netanyahu wants to keep Biden in the loop once a decision on the Israeli response is made.

Biden and Netanyahu are also expected to discuss Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced a scheduled visit by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was postponed, with Israeli media reporting that Netanyahu had wanted to speak to Biden first.

Police in the western German city of Dortmund have dismantled a pro-Palestinian protest camp. The news came after Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she would visit on Tuesday.

According to Dortmund police, the decision was taken due to concerns that Thunberg was "potentially violent." There is concern that Thunberg's participation in the demonstration could have resulted in more people attending it than originally permitted.

The camp, which had been in place for months, was dismantled peacefully, with seven protesters present, police said. Thunberg did not show up.

This comes after a pro-Palestinian protest in Berlin saw bottles being thrown at police and journalists being attacked, with Thunberg being present at the protest.

In recent months, Thunberg has repeatedly expressed her solidarity with the Palestinians and accused Israel of genocide.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he will "press for an end to the cycle of violence" during his upcoming visit to the Middle East.

Lammy will hold talks with leaders in Bahrain and Jordan, as well as meeting UK soldiers currently stationed in the region.

"I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan," Lammy said ahead of his trip. 

"We must not waver at this critical period to achieve cease-fires in Gazaand Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages."

Since his previous visit in mid-August, tensions in the region have escalated significantly, with Israel’s ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon being underway and Iranshooting missiles at Israelfor the second time in the past six months earlier in October.

ftm/rmt (AP, AFP, DPA, Reuters)