Leaders at UNGA gravely concerned with Middle East violence, slam Israel for 'genocide'

ATTITUDES

"Too many on each side of the Israeli-Lebanon border remain displaced. Full scale wars not in anyone's interest. Even a situation has escalated, a diplomatic solution is still possible," US President Joe Biden told the UNGA Tuesday morning. "In fact, it remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely."

"That's what we're working tirelessly to achieve," Biden said. "As we look ahead, we must also address the rise of violence against the innocent Palestinians on the West Bank and set the conditions for a better future, including a two-state solution, where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition, and normalizes relations with all its neighbors; where Palestinians live in security, dignity and self-determination in a state of their own."

Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters on Tuesday that Israel prefers a "diplomatic solution" in Lebanon to deal with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah but would use "other methods" to show "we mean business."

Asked by CNN's Tara John if Israel is prepared for a second front on its border with Lebanon after repeatedly striking Hezbollah targets in the country, Danon said that "we are not eager to start any ground invasion anywhere. I don't want to send my son, and we don't want to send our boys to fight in a foreign country, but we are determined to protect the civilians of Israel."

The UNGA General Debate started Tuesday for world leaders heading to New York to deliver their statements, as they take part in high-level discussions on the existential threat of sea-level rise, accelerating progress in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, and driving forward the UN's long-term goal of achieving global nuclear disarmament with a plenary meeting marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.