Israel and Hezbollah; Biden: We will do everything we can to prevent the war from escalating

As tensions escalate between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, several officials from various countries have expressed concern about the outbreak of full-scale war in the region, and the President of the United States has emphasized his ongoing efforts to prevent the war from spreading. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, stated on Sunday evening that Washington will do everything it can to prevent the war from escalating. Biden told reporters at the White House, "We will do everything in our power to prevent a wider war from igniting." He emphasized his concern about the increase in regional tensions and stated that Washington is still making significant efforts. In recent months, the U.S. government has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to Israel's security while stressing the need for a diplomatic solution and focusing on preventing the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. On Sunday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and John Kirby, the White House National Security spokesperson, also expressed concern about the escalating tensions in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressing concern that "Lebanon could become another Gaza," told CNN on Sunday, "This is a war that must be stopped." Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated that the EU is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence and calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying, "We must prevent a full-scale war through various means, including renewed efforts in diplomatic mediation." Additionally, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, whose country is mediating between the parties in the Gaza conflict, expressed "great concern" about the tensions escalating into a full-scale war, stating that these tensions are harming ceasefire negotiations. The clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have sharply increased in recent days, continuing on Sunday from both sides. Senior Israeli military officials, including the army commander and the chief of staff, noted on Sunday the "heavy blows" dealt to Hezbollah and emphasized that operations against this group will continue. Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, stated on Sunday evening, "Last week was the hardest week in Hezbollah's history, especially its last day." Last Friday, in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut's suburbs (Dahiyeh), Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah commander, along with 15 other senior members of this group and the "Radwan Unit," were killed. Following that, on Tuesday and Wednesday, explosions of pagers and communication devices belonging to Hezbollah resulted in 39 deaths and over three thousand injuries, and on Saturday, Israel reported "extensive airstrikes" in southern Lebanon, destroying a large number of Hezbollah missile launchers. Hezbollah has also significantly increased its rocket and missile attacks on northern Israel in recent days, with Israeli officials reporting that around 150 rockets were fired at these areas on Sunday. In recent weeks, Israel has spoken of a new phase of war, indicating a shift in the focus of the conflict to its northern borders. Meanwhile, Naeem Qassem, Hezbollah's deputy leader, also referred to a "new phase" of war. The deputy of the group supported by the Islamic Republic stated on Sunday at Ibrahim Aqil's funeral that the group has entered a "new phase" of war with Israel, and this phase is a "calculated battle." On Sunday, the group known as the "Islamic Resistance of Iraq," a militia supported by the Islamic Republic, reported firing a drone towards Israel, but the Israeli army announced that it intercepted the drone launched from Iraq, which entered the country from Syrian territory. The current crisis in the region began following an attack by the extremist group Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages. In response to this group's attack, Israel launched operations across the Gaza Strip, which, according to officials under Hamas, has so far resulted in over 41,000 deaths.