NEW YORK: US President Joe Biden warned on Wednesday of the possibility of an “all-out war” in the Middle East but said he was still optimistic about a potential diplomatic settlement in the war-torn region.
Biden’s remarks came during an appearance on ABC chat show “The View,” amid heightened tensions as Israel prepares its military for ground operations in Lebanon after airstrikes killed more than 606 people since Monday and the war in Gaza grinds on.
Biden acknowledged the precarious situation, stating, “An all-out war is possible.” However, he emphasized that opportunities for a peaceful resolution still exist, which could lead to significant changes in the region.
“What I think is, also, the opportunity is still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region,” he added.
The president highlighted the possibility of negotiating a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed over 600 people this week. “There’s a possibility if we can deal with a ceasefire in Lebanon that it can move into dealing with the West Bank as well,” he said.
Since late August, Israel has intensified raids in the occupied West Bank. Biden acknowledged the complexities of the situation, stating, “But we also have Gaza to deal with,” as negotiations are stalled for a ceasefire in Gaza. “But it is possible and I am using every bit of energy with my team to get this done. There is a desire to see change in the region,” he said.
The US president urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider his stance against the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, reinforcing his commitment to a two-state solution as essential for lasting peace.
“I don’t agree with his (Netanyahu’s) position. There needs to be a two-state solution,” Biden said during the interview, addressing the audience led by comedian Whoopi Goldberg.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military on Wednesday put troops on high alert for a possible ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon as the air force conducted hundreds of deadly strikes around the country.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the chief of the Israeli army, addressed soldiers stating, “We are attacking all day, both to prepare the ground for the possibility of your entry and to continue striking Hezbollah.” This statement underscores the seriousness of the situation as Israeli forces ramp up operations across Lebanon, killing more than 660 people.
According to Lebanon’s health minister, Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday killed at least 51 persons and left 223 others injured, with impacts felt even in mountainous regions outside Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds.
The Lebanese group retaliated by firing a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, marking the first such attack in nearly a year. Hezbollah said it had targeted Israel’s Mossad spy agency in the morning — the first time it has fired a ballistic missile in almost a year of cross-border clashes. In Tel Aviv, sirens sounded following Hezbollah’s unprecedented ballistic missile launch.
Israel said it had struck 60 intelligence sites linked to Hezbollah, part of a broader offensive targeting over 280 Hezbollah positions across Lebanon. The Israeli military claimed these strikes were aimed at dismantling the group’s capabilities.
The escalation of violence comes after the deadliest day in Lebanon, with Israeli raids on Monday killing at least 558 people. The United Nations has expressed grave concern, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that Lebanon is on the brink of a larger crisis.
At the UN General Assembly in New York, Secretary-General Guterres issued a stark warning. “We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink,” he said while cautioning against “the possibility of transforming Lebanon (into) another Gaza”.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described Hezbollah’s missile strike on Tel Aviv as “deeply concerning,” yet noted that there remains “time and space for a diplomatic solution” to de-escalate tensions.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration reported that approximately 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Monday, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes. This displacement adds to the over 111,000 people who had already been forced to flee due to the Israeli strikes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed his departure to New York for the UN General Assembly, for consultations on Israel’s military strategy in Lebanon. Despite international calls for restraint, Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s commitment to continue its operations against Hezbollah, stating, “We will continue to hit Hezbollah… the one who has a missile in his living room and a rocket in his home will not have a home.”
Iran condemned Israeli actions, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserting that the recent killing of Hezbollah commanders would not incapacitate the group.
