President Joe Biden expressed intent to contact Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as tensions soar in Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an airstrike on Beirut, targeting Hezbollah, prompting fears of an all-out war. Biden emphasized the need to prevent further escalation and avoid conflict.
President Joe Biden has announced his intention to engage in immediate communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon. The situation has taken a turn following an airstrike carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
The IDF strike marks the first time Israel has directly targeted the central part of Beirut during the yearlong conflict with Hamas. The airstrike was launched after Israeli forces had initially focused on targeting Hezbollah, a Lebanese terrorist group allied with Hamas, in southern Beirut.
Biden's Imminent Call to Netanyahu Amid Intensifying Israel-Lebanon Conflict
Speaking from Dover Air Force Base on Sunday afternoon prior to the airstrike, Biden confirmed his plans to initiate a conversation with Netanyahu. He stated, "Yes, I will be talking to him. And I'll tell you what I say to him when I talk to him."
Biden's statement underscores the administration's concern over the potential for an all-out war in the Middle East. When questioned about preventing such a conflict, Biden reiterated the importance of averting further escalation. "We really have to avoid it," he stressed.
Biden's Imminent Call to Netanyahu Amid Intensifying Israel-Lebanon Conflict
Biden elaborated on measures taken to safeguard American personnel in the region, stating, "We have already taken precautions relative to our embassies and personnel who want to leave." He acknowledged that the situation remains fluid but emphasized the efforts being made in collaboration with international partners, particularly France, to prevent further bloodshed.
The Associated Press initially reported the airstrike on Sunday evening, citing eyewitness accounts in central Beirut. The airstrike coincides with intensified Israeli attacks against Hezbollah over the weekend, resulting in the elimination of key figures within the organization, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and the deputy head of its Central Council, Nabil Kaouk.
Biden's Imminent Call to Netanyahu Amid Intensifying Israel-Lebanon Conflict
The IDF confirmed the deaths of Nasrallah and Kaouk, further escalating tensions in the region. Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting Hezbollah with full force, despite a ceasefire deal proposed by the United States.
The situation remains highly volatile, and President Biden's imminent call to Prime Minister Netanyahu is seen as a crucial step in potentially de-escalating the conflict and paving the way for a diplomatic solution. The international community anxiously awaits the outcome of this conversation and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Biden's Imminent Call to Netanyahu Amid Intensifying Israel-Lebanon Conflict
