President Joe Biden promised Benjamin Netanyahu “new defensive US military deployments” as Israel faces fresh threats to avenge assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, but he also pressed the Israeli leader to move forward with cease-fire efforts.

Biden “reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis,” the White House said in a readout of a call Thursday evening.

“The president discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments.”

Tempering the talk of military strength, the president “stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to de-escalate broader tensions in the region,’ according to the summary of the call, which was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Netanyahu said earlier Thursday that his country “is in a very high level of preparedness” for efforts to avenge the two assassinations in one night of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah.