'Have to Avoid It': Biden to Speak with Israeli Leader, Vows to Prevent All-Out War in Middle East

Washington: As Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people on Sunday, US President Joe Biden said that he would speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , emphasizing the need to avoid an all-out war in the Middle East. "It has to be," Biden said, speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for Washington. "We really have to avoid it." However, Biden did not specify when he would hold the conversation with Netanyahu.

The Israeli strikes targeted Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, and resulted in the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. This is part of Israel’s intensified campaign to diminish Hezbollah’s ability to attack Israeli territory. 

Tens of thousands of civilians on both sides, particularly near the Israel-Lebanon border, have been displaced due to near-daily rocket attacks by Hezbollah and retaliatory strikes by Israel over the past 11 months.

The Biden administration is seeking a negotiated solution to allow displaced civilians to return home and to prevent the conflict from expanding further. Earlier on Sunday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed that Israel had “wiped out” Hezbollah’s command structure, including Nasrallah and several key leaders. 

However, he warned that Hezbollah would likely attempt to rebuild. "I think people are safer without him walking around," Kirby said, adding that Israel’s strike against Nasrallah on Friday created a leadership vacuum that Hezbollah would struggle to fill.

When asked whether the US supports Israel’s method of targeting Hezbollah leaders, Kirby declined to comment. Israeli strikes have been criticized by Lebanese officials for causing civilian casualties, as many Hezbollah leaders are believed to operate from locations near or beneath civilian areas.

In an effort to de-escalate tensions, the US, France, and other nations have called for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. This proposal, discussed at the recent UN General Assembly, aims to create conditions for displaced civilians to safely return home. "If you want to get those folks back home safely and sustainably, we believe that a diplomatic path is the right course," Kirby said during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union.