Washington

US President Joe Biden has said he would speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Middle East sits on the cusp of an all-out war. After Israel took out Hezbollah's entire chain of command, including chief Hassan Nasrallah, the region has been extremely volatile, with Biden stating his administration was 'working like hell" to avoid the worst-case scenario. 

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Speaking to the reporters as he was boarding his Air Force One for Washington, Biden reflected on the situation and said he will inform about his talk with Netanyahu. 

"Yes, I will be talking to him. And I'll tell you what I say to him when I talk to him," the US president said. 

Biden added that an "all-out war" scenario must be avoided at all costs.

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“It has to be. We really have to avoid it. We have already taken precautions relative to our embassies and personnel who want to leave. But, we're not there yet, but we're working like hell with the French and many others to avoid [more] war," he added. 

Even after Nasrallah's death, Israel has not eased on the strikes in Lebanon. Tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens have been forced to seek shelter in safer pastures. 

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said Israel had "settled the account" with a "mass murderer".

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"We settled the score with the one responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French," said Netanyahu. 

Bibi revealed that he had personally issued the directive to neutralise Nasrallah as Hezbollah would have regenerated if he was allowed to live.

Watch | Israel-Hezbollah War | Netanyahu: No Choice But To Target Nasrallah

Nasrallah's death 

On Saturday (Sep 28), the Israeli military said that Nasrallah was eliminated during Friday's strikes, which targeted the suburbs of Beirut.

"Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). 

Also read | Hassan Nasrallah: What you should know about the Hezbollah leader Israel says it has killed

Hezbollah also confirmed the death of its leader later in the day with Iran, known for backing the militant outfit, issuing a statement and vowing to avenge the loss. 

Notably, more than 80 bombs were dropped by Israel within a few minutes to kill Nasrallah and his aides. After Nasrallah's death, reports claim that his cousin Hashem Safieddine may take the reins of the group. 

(With inputs from agencies)