U.S. President Joe Biden expressed skepticism about the likelihood of an “all-out war” in the Middle East, despite Israel considering its response to Tehran’s most significant attack on the nation. He emphasized the necessity of taking further steps to prevent a broader conflict, particularly as Israel conducted new airstrikes in Beirut against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

When questioned by reporters in Washington on Thursday regarding his confidence in averting such a war, Biden likened it to predicting the weather, stating, “I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it. But there is still much work to be done.”

While the United States, the European Union, and other allies have urged for an immediate 21-day ceasefire in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, Biden noted that discussions were ongoing with Israel about potential responses to Tehran’s aggression, which could involve strikes on Iran’s oil facilities. “We’re discussing that,” he confirmed to reporters.

His remarks have led to a spike in global oil prices, as escalating tensions in the Middle East raise concerns among traders about possible supply disruptions.

Biden stated, “Nothing is going to happen today.” When later questioned about whether he was advising Israel against attacking Iran’s oil facilities, he emphasized that he would not engage in public negotiations. On Wednesday, the president made it clear that he would not endorse any Israeli military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

On Thursday, Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, informed CNN that the nation had “numerous options” for retaliation and would soon demonstrate its strength to Tehran. A U.S. official indicated that Washington believed Israel had not yet made a decision regarding its response to Iran.

In Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiye, a Hezbollah stronghold, renewed airstrikes occurred near midnight on Thursday after Israel instructed residents in certain areas to evacuate, according to local residents and security sources. The airstrikes reportedly targeted Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who is rumored to be the successor to the late leader Hassan Nasrallah, in an underground bunker, as reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing three Israeli officials. The status of Safieddine remains uncertain.

Israel’s military refrained from commenting on the situation. The Israeli government reported that Hezbollah launched approximately 230 rockets from Lebanon towards Israel on Thursday. Hezbollah claimed it aimed at what it referred to as Israel’s “Sakhnin base” for military industries located in Haifa Bay on the northern Mediterranean coast with a barrage of rockets. Later that evening, Hezbollah announced it also targeted Israel’s “Nesher base” in Haifa with a series of Fadi 2 rockets.

G7 URGES RESTRAINT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Iran will face repercussions for the missile attack on Tuesday, with Washington pledging to collaborate with its longstanding ally to ensure Iran encounters “severe consequences.”

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing an audience in Doha, stated on Thursday that Tehran is prepared to retaliate. “Any military aggression, terrorist act, or violation of our red lines will provoke a strong response from our armed forces,” he asserted.

Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip for nearly a year and escalated its military presence in southern Lebanon on Tuesday following two weeks of intense airstrikes, amid a deteriorating situation that has involved Iran and poses risks for U.S. engagement.

The Group of Seven nations, which includes the U.S., the U.K., and other allies, condemned Iran’s missile strike on Tuesday and reiterated their support for Israel’s security. However, the group also called for restraint, advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to hostilities in Lebanon.

“A perilous cycle of attacks and retaliation threatens to escalate uncontrollably in the Middle East, which serves no one’s interests,” the statement read.

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, also called for serious efforts towards a ceasefire to halt what he described as Israel’s aggression.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee urged the president on Thursday to expedite the delivery of weapons to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs that have been delayed for months due to human rights concerns.

Representative Michael McCaul emphasized in a letter to President Biden, that these large munitions are crucial for operational effectiveness, as Hamas and Hezbollah are utilizing extensively fortified underground bunkers and tunnels.

17 ISRAELI SOLDIERS KILLED

Hezbollah has reported the death of 17 Israeli soldiers. In response to Hezbollah’s attacks during the Gaza conflict, Israel has stated that its military operations in Lebanon aim to facilitate the return of tens of thousands of its citizens who were forced to evacuate from the northern region.

According to Lebanese authorities, over 1.2 million individuals have been displaced due to Israeli strikes, with nearly 2,000 fatalities recorded since the onset of these attacks on Lebanon over the past year, the majority occurring in the last two weeks.

On Friday morning, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 27 individuals were killed and 151 were injured in the previous day’s violence. Hezbollah claims to have thwarted multiple ground operations by Israeli forces through tactics such as ambushes and direct confrontations. The group asserts that it killed 17 Israeli military personnel during clashes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, based on information from its field and security sources. Israeli forces have not responded to this assertion.

Additionally, an Israeli airstrike reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people on Thursday in the Tulkarm refugee camp located in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry, while Israel stated that it targeted a Hamas official in Tulkarm.