Biden Warns Hezbollah Conflict Could Spark All-Out War

Biden Warns Hezbollah Conflict Could Spark All-Out War \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Joe Biden warned that rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah could lead to an “all-out war.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other U.S. officials are pushing for a temporary ceasefire, aiming to de-escalate the conflict. Meanwhile, Israeli and Hezbollah hostilities continue, with hundreds dead and more forced from their homes.

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Quick Looks:

• President Biden warned the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could escalate into a full-blown war.
• The Biden administration is actively working to secure a ceasefire to calm rising violence.
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been lobbying world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly to support the ceasefire.
• Hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have killed over 600 people in Lebanon.
• The conflict has displaced thousands in both northern Israel and southern Lebanon, raising fears of a broader Middle East war.
• Israeli officials expressed willingness to explore a ceasefire deal, provided civilians can return home safely.
• Biden emphasized that an opportunity for long-term regional peace might emerge from these negotiations.
• Hezbollah launched its deepest missile strike yet, aiming at Tel Aviv as tensions rose.
• The U.S. imposed new sanctions targeting entities linked to Iran’s petroleum shipments, which benefit Hezbollah.
• Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with France organizing a special U.N. Security Council meeting on Lebanon.

Deep Look:

President Joe Biden warned on Wednesday that the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has the potential to spiral into an “all-out war.” His comments came as U.S. officials, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, continued behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to secure a temporary ceasefire, aiming to halt the escalating violence. Over 600 people have been killed in Lebanon in recent days, as the situation between Israel and Hezbollah becomes increasingly volatile.

According to Blinken, the U.S. is “intensely engaged” with international partners to de-escalate tensions in Lebanon. He explained that a ceasefire could bring significant benefits to all parties involved. U.S. diplomats have spent the past few days working the corridors and sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, lobbying various countries to support the ceasefire plan. The goal is not only to reduce immediate hostilities but also to create long-term stability along the Israel-Lebanon border. U.S. officials, however, noted that while progress is being made, specific terms of the proposal are still under development.

The escalating conflict comes as hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have resulted in hundreds of deaths and mass displacement on both sides of the border. The violence has rekindled fears of a broader war in the Middle East, a scenario that the Biden administration is keen to avoid. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, amplifying the urgency for a ceasefire.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled openness to pursuing a potential ceasefire. However, this would be contingent on the safe return of Israeli civilians to their homes. Meanwhile, President Biden, in an appearance on ABC’s “The View,” reiterated the possibility of an all-out war but emphasized that there is also a rare chance for a regional settlement that could bring lasting change.

Biden suggested that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah could have a positive ripple effect, potentially helping to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza. The war with Hamas is approaching its one-year mark, having begun on October 7 of last year when the Iranian-backed group launched an attack on southern Israel. That conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the majority of them Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

“I’m using every bit of energy I have, along with my team, to get this done,” Biden said, expressing hope that the current situation could pave the way for lasting peace. He noted that there is a growing desire for change in the region.

Adding to the pressure, the U.S. announced a new round of sanctions targeting more than a dozen ships and other entities involved in illicit shipments of Iranian petroleum. These shipments have provided financial support to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah, further inflaming tensions in the region.

As the situation on the ground continued to deteriorate, the chief of Israel’s military announced that the Israeli army is preparing for a potential ground operation in Lebanon. Hezbollah militants have stepped up their attacks, launching dozens of projectiles into Israel, including a missile aimed at Tel Aviv — the group’s deepest strike into Israeli territory to date.

In the midst of these developments, Blinken has been actively urging both Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate. He emphasized that an all-out war would have disastrous consequences for the entire region and is not a viable solution to the current crisis. Instead, Blinken advocated for a diplomatic resolution that would enable civilians to return to their homes and foster a more secure environment along the border.

Blinken’s efforts to prevent further escalation are part of a broader international push, with France calling for a special United Nations Security Council meeting to address the situation in Lebanon. The meeting, set for later on Wednesday, could serve as a platform to discuss the U.S. proposal for de-escalation.

“What we’re focused on now is a plan to de-escalate,” Blinken told reporters, highlighting the involvement of numerous international partners, including the Arab world and European nations. Blinken reiterated that a full-scale war is not the solution to the crisis and that diplomatic efforts are the best path forward to secure peace and stability.

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