US President Joe Biden says he’s “very concerned” that the violence in the Middle East could escalate, adding that the killing of a top Hamas leader in Iran has “not helped” efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
ADVERTISEMENTThe US announced plans on Friday to move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region amidst growing tensions.
The announcement was made a day after US President Joe Biden said he was “very concerned” at the prospect of escalating violence in the region.
He also said that the killing of a top Hamas leader in Iran has “not helped” efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“We have the basis for a ceasefire. (Netanyahu) should move on it and they should move on it now,” Biden said after a conversation with the Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday.
Netanyahu has said that Israel was determined to win “total victory” against Hamas. He has also said that Israel hopes for a ceasefire soon and is working towards one.
The recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut on Tuesday threaten to trigger all-out regional war.
Iran has threatened to respond after the attack on its territory and Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders over the group’s attack on Israel on October 7 which sparked the war.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was among the growing international voices calling for a ceasefire in recent days, saying that it was the only way to begin to break the cycle of violence and suffering.
The Israeli military released footage on Friday, which they say shows a strike on two Hezbollah operatives in the Bilda area of southern Lebanon.
The IDF said that the targets "were struck shortly after being identified operating in the area from which the launches were fired today toward the Ramim Ridge."