'An all-out war is possible' in Middle East, says Biden

WASHINGTON

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that "an all-out war is possible" in the Middle East with Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

"But I think there's also the opportunity still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region," he told ABC's "The View" program.

"Arab world very much wants to have a settlement, because they know what it does for them," he said.

Biden also indicated that he does not agree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a two-state solution.

"There needs to be a two-state solution. Ultimately, it needs to happen. There's a way to do it," said the US president.

"I don't want to exaggerate it, but a possibility, if we can deal with a cease-fire in Lebanon, that it can move into dealing with the West Bank, if we also have Gaza to deal with and so but it's possible, and I'm using every bit of energy, I have with my team," he added.

Biden stressed a full-scale war is not in anyone's interest in the region, during his address Tuesday to the UN General Assembly,

"Even as the situation has escalated, a diplomatic solution is still possible," he said. "In fact, it remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes and the border safely."

Israel has launched waves of deadly airstrikes in Lebanon since early Monday, killing nearly 610 victims and injuring more than 2,000, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli onslaught against Gaza, which has killed more than 41,400 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, last Oct. 7.