Joe Biden calls to avoid all-out war in Middle East, says he’ll talk to Netanyahu soon
AND All-out war in the Middle East ‘must be avoided’the president of the united states said this sunday Joe Bidenat a time when the Israeli army carries out new attacks which leave nearly 50 dead in Lebanon and reach targets in Gaza and places as far away as Yemen.
When asked by a journalist about the possibility of avoiding a wider conflict in this region, the president replied: “This should be avoided. “It really should be avoided.
Likewise, the US president assured that he would soon speak with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahubut did not specify when.
As he was about to board the presidential plane, Biden briefly answered several questions from reporters accompanying him about the situation in Lebanon, where Israeli bombings have beheaded Hezbollah’s military top brass after an unprecedented escalation of the war. Asked if he would negotiate with Netanyahu, Biden said: “Yes, I will talk to him and tell you when I do.
Biden’s comments came after Iran’s president said Sunday that a “decisive response” was needed after a series of heavy strikes against the militant group in recent days. Hezbollah, including the assassination of their general leader, Hassan NasrallahIsrael.
The White House sees Nasrallah’s death as a major setback for Iran-backed Hezbollah, but the administration has sought to tread carefully in hopes of avoiding an even wider regional conflict.
Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have been forced to evacuate near the Israeli-Lebanese border as Hezbollah has fired rocket salvos at Israel almost daily over the past 11 months, and Israel has responded with attacks of its own.
With tens of thousands of civilians displaced on both sides, The Biden administration tried to reach a negotiated settlement allowing them to return home and avoid wider regional conflict.
Head of state spoke on Saturday about death Nasrallah. He insisted on this an Israeli army attack near Beirut that killed a terrorist leader is “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of American, Israeli and Lebanese civilians“.
Earlier on Sunday, the White House national security spokesman John Kirby He said Israel had “wiped out” Hezbollah’s command structure with a series of airstrikes, but warned the terror group would work to rebuild quickly.
“I think people are safer without it,” Kirby said, referring to Friday’s attack that killed Nasrallah. “But they will try to heal. We’re watching what they’re doing to try to fill that leadership void. “It’s going to be hard.
Kirby dodged questions about whether the administration agreed with the Israelis’ targeting of Hezbollah leaders, who the Israelis say have built command structures and other facilities near or under civilian targets. The attacks also killed many innocent civilians, according to Lebanese officials.
The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to do so accept a temporary truce The 21 days proposed by the United States, France and other countries last week when world leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly.
“If we want these people to come home safely and sustainably, we believe the diplomatic route is the right way,” Kirby said.
He made the announcement during an appearance on the “State of the Union” show. cnn.
(With information from AFP and AP)