Biden struggles to contain conflict as Israel and Hezbollah on the brink

President Joe Biden is facing a significant challenge as he attempts to manage the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a powerful group in Lebanon. For nearly a year, he has been committed to preventing the war in Gaza from spreading throughout the Middle East. In his final address to the United Nations, he reiterated his determination, stating, 'A diplomatic solution is still possible. In fact, remains the only path to lasting security. ' He emphasized that a full-scale war would not benefit anyone involved. However, the situation between Israel and Lebanon is becoming increasingly precarious. Biden's calls for restraint and peace are being acknowledged in the UN hall but are not resonating in the region. On Monday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon, resulting in the deadliest day for the country since the end of its civil war over thirty years ago, with more than 500 casualties reported by Lebanese health officials. In retaliation, Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets into northern Israel, causing destruction to homes and igniting fires in the streets. The United States is striving to restrain Israel, its key ally in the region, while also urging Hezbollah to avoid further escalation. The U. S. seeks a diplomatic resolution, but it appears that neither side is willing to come to the negotiating table. Israel claims its military actions are aimed at disarming Hezbollah to ensure the safety of its citizens, while Hezbollah argues that its attacks are a response to Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza. Despite months of diplomatic efforts by U. S. envoy Amos Hochstein, which built upon existing UN Security Resolutions regarding Israel and Hezbollah, progress has been elusive. As Biden was advocating for calm at the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on social media, declaring, 'We will continue to hit Hezbollah. ' This statement highlights the complicated and often strained relationship between the U. S. and Israeli leadership. The White House has expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, but there are growing concerns that the ongoing violence could spiral into a full-scale war. Notably, there was no announcement of a phone call between Biden and Netanyahu during this recent crisis. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made ten trips to the region since the attacks on October 7, but for the first time, he did not visit Israel. Critics, both within and outside the administration, have pointed to the White House's inability to influence Netanyahu as a failure to condition U. S. military support. However, the administration firmly rejects this notion, asserting its commitment to Israel's defense. Biden has long believed that resolving the crisis on the Israel-Lebanon border, which has seen months of cross-border violence and the displacement of tens of thousands of people, hinges on achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. Unfortunately, this effort has stalled, with little indication that either side is willing to compromise. Blinken has attributed this impasse to a lack of 'political will' from both Israel and Hamas. The White House denies that it is pursuing a diplomatic effort that is destined to fail, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has stated that Biden has not given up hope of achieving a breakthrough. Sullivan remarked, 'There have been difficulties and setbacks. We’ve had challenges getting the [Israeli] prime minister across the line. We’ve had challenges getting Hamas’s leader Sinwar across the line. But we’re determined to keep at it. ' This week, Biden is expected to meet with other world leaders to discuss efforts to establish a ceasefire and secure a hostage deal in Gaza, while also working to prevent a broader conflict in the Middle East. Behind the scenes in New York, U. S. diplomats are actively engaging with allies to present potential plans for resolving the crisis between Israel and Hezbollah. A senior state department official indicated, 'We’ve got some concrete ideas we’re going to be discussing with allies and partners this week to try to figure out the way forward on this. ' However, the official refrained from disclosing specific details about these ideas, noting that while the U. S. does not communicate directly with Hezbollah, some of its allies in New York do, and they may have a better understanding of Hezbollah's perspective. The official also reiterated the U. S. opposition to any Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon and dismissed the notion that escalating the conflict with Hezbollah could lead to a diplomatic resolution that stabilizes the situation on either side of the border. 'I can't recall, at least in recent memory, a period in which an escalation or intensification led to a fundamental de-escalation and led to profound stabilization of the situation,' the official stated.