Biden On Gaza-Lebanon: Massive War May Happen, But Efforts To Solve Conflict

JAKARTA - US President Joe Biden said a massive war might occur in the Middle East, but there is also the possibility of resolving the Israeli conflict in Gaza and with Hezbollah Lebanon.

"A massive war is possible, but I think there is still a chance, we are still trying to achieve a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region," Biden said in a speech at ABC's "The View." reported by Reuters, Wednesday, September 25.

Biden, who was in New York this week to attend the UN General Assembly, sought to ease tensions as the war lasted nearly a year between Israel and Palestinian militant Hamas in the Gaza Strip now threatened to hit Lebanon.

Israel expanded its airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday and shot down a missile that Hezbollah said was fired at a Mossad spy agency near Tel Aviv.

The US President, who is an old ally of Israel, has pushed for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and said he publicly disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the matter.

"I don't agree with his position. There needs to be a two-state solution," said Biden.

Biden said after the ceasefire was reached with Hezbollah and in Gaza, attention could be diverted to the West Bank.

"It might happen, and I use all the energy I have to solve it. There is a desire to see change," he added.