Biden Administration Warns Of Possible Iran Attack On Israel This Week Amid Rising Tensions

The Biden administration said Monday that an Iranian attack on Israel could occur as early as this week, amid escalating tensions in the region.

Palestinians were seen clearing rubble following an Israeli airstrike on a house in a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Monday. The strike comes as Israel braces for possible retaliatory attacks by Iran and its allies in Lebanon, following the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

On Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Lincoln to expedite its arrival in the region. In a rare move, the Pentagon also deployed the guided missile submarine USS Georgia to the area.

"President Biden spoke today with France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom to discuss the situation in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to deescalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

CBS News has learned that President Biden's top adviser for Middle East affairs, Brett McGurk, has tentative plans to fly to Egypt this week for a new round of ceasefire and hostage release negotiations.

“We fully expect talks to move forward, as they should. All negotiators should return to the table and bring this deal to conclusion,” said State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.

However, citing in part Israel’s deadly strike over the weekend on a Gaza school turned shelter—which Israel says was also a terror command center—Hamas has been non-committal about Thursday’s talks. The group remains focused on a proposal it agreed to in early July.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy endorsed the call to renew talks, stressing that there is no time to lose. “All parties must live up to their responsibilities,” the statement said.