Could an all-out war in the Middle East be avoided? What Biden said

NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden was asked by reporters on Sunday if he believes that an all-out war in the Middle East needs to be avoided. Tensions have escalated in the Middle East as Israel 's conflict with Hamas has now moved to Lebanon's Hezbollah .

Biden on Sunday told reporters that the possibility of an all-out war 'has to' be avoided. While boarding Air Force One, Biden said, "It has to be. We really have to avoid it."

This statement followed Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which resulted in numerous casualties as well as the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, that has potentially brought the possibility of pulling both Iran and US directly into the conflict.

The White House views Nasrallah's death as a significant setback for Hezbollah. At the same time, the administration has sought to tread carefully as it has tried to contain Israel ’s war with Hamas, which, like Hezbollah, is backed by Iran, from exploding into an all-out regional conflict.

Biden indicated he plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though he did not specify when.