Israel defies nervous Biden

CEASEFIRE: WASHINGTON UNABLE TO REIN IN ALLY AMID FEARS OF WIDER MIDEAST CONFLICT. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken again calls for all sides to choose diplomacy.

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Despite US calls to avert a ground offensive in Lebanon, Israel has begun "targeted" raids on the country - more proof that Washington has been unable to rein in its ally, amid fears of a wider Middle East conflict.

The US president indicated on Monday that he was opposed to Israeli ground operations in Lebanon, calling for a ceasefire as tensions spiralled after the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"I'm more aware than you might know and I'm comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now," Biden said when asked if he was aware of Israeli plans for a limited operation on Lebanese soil.