Hezbollah Leader’s Death is a ‘Measure of Justice’ for His Victims, Says Biden

By Andrea Shalal

REHOBOTH BEACH, Delaware – On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden referred to the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces as "a measure of justice" for his numerous victims, affirming Washington’s full support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran-supported groups.

In a statement from the White House, Biden mentioned that he had instructed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to bolster the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East, aiming to deter aggression and mitigate the risk of an escalated conflict.

Biden emphasized that the U.S. seeks to de-escalate ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic efforts.

Israel has rejected international calls for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, continuing its military operations that have resulted in significant casualties in Lebanon and raised concerns about a larger regional war.

Biden expressed strong support for the Israeli action against Nasrallah, which took place while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was attending the United Nations General Assembly, where diplomatic discussions for a ceasefire were ongoing.

"Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist organization he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death as a result of an Israeli airstrike is a form of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians," Biden stated.

He also pointed out that Nasrallah had backed Hamas following its assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to considerable loss of life and numerous hostages.

Since the onset of the conflict, Israeli military actions have severely impacted Gaza, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents and causing a humanitarian crisis with over 41,000 reported casualties, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Biden’s administration has been advocating for a resolution to the Gaza conflict for several months and has recently aimed to end the hostilities with Hezbollah, which flared following an incident involving detonated communications equipment that resulted in multiple casualties.

"The United States firmly supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other terrorist groups backed by Iran," Biden asserted. While he stated the U.S. was pursuing diplomatic solutions to resolve the conflicts, he refrained from criticizing Israel’s military actions.

"It is crucial for these deals to be finalized, threats to Israel to be eliminated, and for the Middle East region to achieve greater stability," he declared while vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

RISK OF BROADER WAR

The escalating conflict has heightened fears of a wider war that could involve Iran, Hezbollah’s primary ally, as well as U.S. interests in the region.

Before Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death, Biden told reporters that the U.S. had no prior knowledge or involvement in the Israeli military operation that resulted in the militant’s death.

In Lebanon, over 600 individuals have reportedly lost their lives since the beginning of the week.

Biden did not comment on the civilian casualties or responses from Iranian officials warning of retaliation for Nasrallah’s death.

Vice President Kamala Harris, participating in campaign events in California, also voiced her support for the action against Nasrallah and reaffirmed her "unwavering" commitment to Israel’s security.

"President Biden and I are committed to preventing escalation of conflict in the Middle East that could lead to a wider regional war. Diplomacy is essential to safeguard civilians and foster lasting stability in the region," she said.