US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Thursday that an "all-out war" would be "devastating" for Israel and Lebanon, and that a ceasefire could buy time to stop the conflict.

"A full scale war between Hezbollah and Israel could be devastating for both parties," Austin said in London after meetings with his UK and Australian counterparts in the AUKUS military alliance.

Austin called on both sides to "choose a different path", saying that "despite the sharp escalation, a diplomatic solution is still viable".

Such an outcome is "the only way to ensure that displaced civilians on both sides of the border can finally go home," he said.

US President Joe Biden and other world leaders have called for an immediate&nbsp;21-day ceasefire in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel's foreign minister rejected the proposal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjah96XkeGIAxWDR2wGHWx9Fvo4ChDF9AEoAHoECBAQAQ" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-military-claims-it-hit-75-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-overnight-762162" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-military-claims-it-hit-75-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-overnight-762162&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjah96XkeGIAxWDR2wGHWx9Fvo4ChDF9AEoAHoECBAQAQ">Israeli military claims it hit 75 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight</a>

A pause in hostilities would "provide time" for a deal to be struck that would allow Israel and Lebanese civilians to return home, Austin told a news conference after the talks of the trilateral defence partnership.

This time could also be used "to conclude and implement a deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and to bring all the hostages home," said Austin.

"We recognise that there's hard work to be done. We are committed to doing that work, and yes, I am optimistic," he added.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Thursday that an "all-out war" would be "devastating" for Israel and Lebanon, and that a ceasefire could buy time to stop the conflict.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Thursday that an "all-out war" would be "devastating" for Israel and Lebanon, and that a ceasefire could buy time to stop the conflict. "A full scale war between Hezbollah and Israel could be devastating for both parties," Austin said in London after meetings with his UK and Australian counterparts in the AUKUS military alliance. Austin called on both sides to "choose a different path", saying that "despite the sharp escalation, a diplomatic solution is still viable". Such an outcome is "the only way to ensure that displaced civilians on both sides of the border can finally go home," he said. US President Joe Biden and other world leaders have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel's foreign minister rejected the proposal. Also read: Israeli military claims it hit 75 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight A pause in hostilities would "provide time" for a deal to be struck that would allow Israel and Lebanese civilians to return home, Austin told a news conference after the talks of the trilateral defence partnership. This time could also be used "to conclude and implement a deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and to bring all the hostages home," said Austin. "We recognise that there's hard work to be done. We are committed to doing that work, and yes, I am optimistic," he added. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US Defence Secretary warns of ‘devastating all-out war’ between Israel and Hezbollah

Fighting from Tigray has spread to neighbouring regions sparking fears of another war in Ethiopia. At least 20 civilians have been killed in clashes between rebels and pro-government forces in Afar.

Ethiopia: Fear Tigray conflict could trigger all-out war, 20 civilians killed in clashes

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US Defence Secretary warns of ‘devastating all-out war’ between Israel and Hezbollah

Ethiopia: Fear Tigray conflict could trigger all-out war, 20 civilians killed in clashes