President Joe Biden confused Palestinian militant group Hamas with Hezbollah while announcing a ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Hamas and Hezbollah are both Iran-backed militant groups that have been involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, Hamas launched the surprise attack on Israel that sparked the current war on October 7, 2023.
Biden, who has faced heavy criticism in recent years for a series of gaffes and apparent mental lapses, mistakenly said that Hezbollah was responsible for the attack while making the ceasefire announcement on Wednesday.
President Joe Biden on Monday delivers a speech on his foreign policy achievements at the State Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Biden on Wednesday mistakenly referred to Hamas as “Hezbollah” at one point while announcing…
President Joe Biden on Monday delivers a speech on his foreign policy achievements at the State Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Biden on Wednesday mistakenly referred to Hamas as “Hezbollah” at one point while announcing a ceasefire to end the Israel-Hamas war. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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What To Know
“Good afternoon, it’s a very good afternoon,” Biden said while flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken while announcing the deal at a press conference. “Because at long last, I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas.”
“[After] more than 15 months of conflict that began with Hezbollah’s [sic] brutal massacre on October the 7th,” he continued. “More than 15 months of terror for the hostages, their families, the Israeli people. More than 15 months of suffering by the innocent people of Gaza. Fighting in Gaza will stop and soon the hostages will return home and to their families.”
Newsweek reached out for comment to the White House via email on Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
Biden, in a statement on the ceasefire deal: “I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council … My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.”
Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman of New York, in a statement: “I am grateful for the leadership of President Biden and his national security team, who have worked persistently and steadfastly through very difficult circumstances to reach this day. Although Hamas repeatedly declined to agree to the framework of this ceasefire agreement that President Biden announced in May of 2024, the unyielding and ironclad alliance between the United States and Israel ultimately persuaded Hamas to capitulate.”
Conservative British columnist Julia Hartley-Brewer, in a post to X, formerly Twitter: “Does anyone honestly believe @JoeBiden had anything to do with the Gaza ceasefire deal when he just claimed it was Hezbollah, not Hamas, who carried out the October 7th attack? Good grief. He probably doesn’t even know what day it is.”
Eric Daugherty, assistant news director for right-wing media outlet Florida’s Voice, describing a video clip of the moment on X: “JOE BIDEN: More than 15 months of conflict began with Hezbollah’s brutal October 7th massacre. [It wasn’t Hezbollah, it was Hamas] BLINKEN: *Disappointed expressions*”
What Happens Next
The ceasefire will begin January 19 and continue during a six-week first-phase process of hostage returns, soldier withdrawals and humanitarian aid to Gaza. Biden said that phase two would include a “permanent end” to the war, while the third and final phase will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
Biden will leave office January 20, just before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The president-elect took credit for the ceasefire deal in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, insisting that it “could have only happened” due to his 2024 election win.
Update 1/15/25, 4:46 p.m.: This article was updated with further information and context.