WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly Friday as his country continues to escalate fighting across the Middle East.

The Israeli government announced an attack against Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Lebanon and shared a photo of Netanyahu approving the strike from New York. The Pentagon said the U.S. was not involved and received no advanced warning.

“We must defend ourselves against these savage murderers,” Netanyahu said during his speech of Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah and Hamas. “We’ll win this battle because we don’t have a choice.”

Friday’s strike in Lebanon followed recent airstrikes and exploding pager and walkie-talkie attacks targeting Hezbollah.

Netanyahu said Israel also remains committed to its war against Palestinian terror group Hamas in Gaza.

“We will fight until we achieve victory,” he said. “Total victory.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke to the UN Thursday and called on the U.S. to end arms shipments to Israel. The U.S. and Israel reached an agreement for a nearly $9 billion aid package to support its ongoing military efforts.

“We’re trying to prevent a wider war,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “That’s what we’ve been working toward for some time.”

The Biden administration has been trying to broker ceasefire deals this week for both Gaza and Lebanon, but Netanyahu quickly rejected a U.S. and European proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

“For both sides, it cannot continue,” Jean-Pierre said. 

The White House said President Joe Biden is still working toward a diplomatic solution.