US President Joe Biden condemned Hezbollah for initiating the current conflict with Israel, following Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, Biden emphasized that Israel did not provoke the war, and neither did the Lebanese people, highlighting Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks as the catalyst for escalating tensions.

The violence has forced 70,000 Israelis to flee northern areas and 30,000 Lebanese to evacuate the south, where IDF strikes have targeted Hezbollah positions. Biden also acknowledged the significant losses Hezbollah suffered over the past year, including the death of its long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, along with the destruction of its senior leadership and key military infrastructure.

While recognizing Israel’s military progress in the conflict, Biden insisted that “lasting security for the people of Israel and Lebanon cannot be achieved only on the battlefield.” He called for a comprehensive solution to the region’s instability, stressing that a military victory alone will not ensure long-term peace.

Biden also reiterated US support for Israel, emphasizing the security assistance provided over the past 14 months to counter Iranian influence and its proxies in the region. The president’s remarks underscored the complexity of the conflict and the need for a diplomatic approach to achieve lasting peace for both Israel and Lebanon.