On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the recent death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, describing it as "justice for his many victims." He emphasised Nasrallah's long history of violence, accusing him and Hezbollah of causing the deaths of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians over decades.
In his statement, Biden noted, “Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.”
Biden linked the airstrike that killed Nasrallah to the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hamas. He highlighted that the strike occurred after Nasrallah announced Hezbollah's involvement, calling for a “northern front” against Israel the day after the October 7 Hamas attacks. This led to Hezbollah becoming further entangled in the conflict.
The President reiterated U.S. support for Israel in its defence against threats from Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups backed by Iran. He stated, “The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups.
Just yesterday, I directed my Secretary of Defense to further enhance the defence posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war.”
Biden also highlighted his administration’s commitment to resolving the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon through diplomacy. He mentioned ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, backed by the United Nations, and to facilitate the release of hostages held there. Additionally, he said that talks were underway to help people safely return to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon.
“Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means. In Gaza, we have been pursuing a deal backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon,” Biden said.
He stressed that it was time for these deals to be finalised, threats to Israel to be removed, and for greater stability to return to the Middle East. Biden's comments reflect the administration's broader approach to finding diplomatic solutions while standing firmly with Israel in its fight against regional threats.
The day before Biden's remarks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the death of Hassan Nasrallah during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The IDF stated that Nasrallah was killed while attending a meeting at Hezbollah’s main headquarters, located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh. This area is a known stronghold of Hezbollah.
The IDF further reported that other Hezbollah leaders, including Ali Karaki, the commander of the group’s so-called Southern Front, were also killed in the attack. According to the IDF, the strike targeted Hezbollah leaders while they were coordinating activities against Israel.
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