The Biden administration says there's a significant difference between Israeli actions that have expanded its war against the Iranian-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran’s retaliatory missile attack against Israel.

Israel and Hezbollah will respond to a Lebanon cease-fire proposal from the U.S. and others as Israel strikes southern Lebanon, killing more than 600 and displacing hundreds of thousands.

The White House says there has been no change in America’s support of Israel in response to the start of what has been described as a limited ground offensive in Lebanon despite President Joe Biden ’s call for the Israeli government to consider “stopping” the operations and his suggestion that a ceasefire deal be implemented “now.