President Joe Biden has expressed his desire to avoid a full-scale war in Lebanon during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. This comes after Israeli forces launched a massive bombing campaign that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Lebanese civilians. Despite facing criticism for his administration’s support of Israel, especially during the conflict in Gaza, Biden has maintained his stance.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 569 people killed and 1,835 wounded in Israel’s bombardment, while the Israeli military continued to attack the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of 37 Palestinians. Biden called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but has been accused of not applying enough pressure on Israel to de-escalate the situation.
Critics argue that Biden’s unwavering support for Israel, without conditions, has allowed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify military attacks on Lebanon. Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara stated that the US is contributing to the escalation towards war by supporting Israel’s military efforts.
In addition to addressing the situation in the Middle East, Biden emphasized his administration’s support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion. Despite Trump’s plans to potentially reduce aid to Ukraine if he wins the presidential election, Biden reiterated the US’s commitment to supporting Ukraine until a just and durable peace is achieved.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, DC, to discuss further support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy has been pushing for the use of Western-supplied missiles to target deeper inside Russia. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a key focus for the Biden administration, even as domestic criticisms and challenges persist.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
