"Middle East War No" Biden Discusses Preventing Escalation with Some NATO Leaders

U.S. President Joe Biden discussed measures to prevent the escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas with leaders of some North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, including France and Germany.

According to Bloomberg on the 23rd (local time), President Biden held phone calls the previous day with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss such measures.

They pledged to prevent the spread of the conflict and to continue close diplomatic cooperation with key regional partners for a political resolution of the war and lasting peace.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

This appears to reflect concerns that if Lebanon's Hezbollah intervenes in this war, it could escalate into a Middle East war.

The leaders expressed support for Israel while also urging humanitarian aid for the residents of the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Earlier, Chancellor Scholz, President Biden, Prime Minister Sunak, and Prime Minister Meloni each visited Israel to show support. President Macron is also scheduled to visit Israel on the 24th to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Hezbollah have been sporadically engaging in clashes in the northern border area near Lebanon.

Some speculate that if Hezbollah participates in this war, the United States might use its military forces.