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Jimmy Williams
President Joe Biden lauded the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a “measure of justice” for the victims of decades of terrorism. Nasrallah, one of the founders of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, confirmed by the Lebanese militant group on Saturday.
“Nasrallah’s death is justice for his reign of terror, which spanned four decades and resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese,” Biden said in a statement. He emphasized that the strike came in response to Nasrallah’s decision to align Hezbollah with Hamas and open a northern front against Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Hezbollah has been responsible for numerous attacks on U.S. interests, including the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and military barracks in Beirut, which killed over 300 people. “Nasrallah’s legacy of violence has claimed countless lives, and his removal is a significant blow to Hezbollah,” Biden added.
The death of Nasrallah comes amid heightened conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Since October, rocket and missile strikes between the two have intensified, threatening to escalate into a broader regional war. Biden, in his statement, reiterated his call for cease-fires, both in Gaza and between Israel and Hezbollah, to stabilize the region.
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s sentiment, calling the strike a necessary step toward accountability. “This strike delivers a measure of justice, but diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region,” she said.
The strike against Nasrallah occurred as U.S. diplomats and Biden’s national security team worked behind the scenes at the U.N. General Assembly to broker cease-fires and prevent further escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, vowed to continue operations against Hezbollah until the safety of Israeli citizens was secured.
While Biden praised the success of the operation, the U.S. was quick to clarify that Israel did not forewarn Washington of the strike. “President Biden and I do not want to see this conflict escalate into a broader regional war,” Harris emphasized in her statement.
Iran, a staunch ally of Hezbollah, condemned the strike, with President Masoud Pezeshkian accusing the U.S. of complicity. “The world will not forget that the order for this strike was issued in New York,” Pezeshkian said, accusing the U.S. of backing Israel’s actions.
As the situation intensifies, the U.S. has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon amid growing security concerns. The State Department ordered the evacuation of nonessential staff and families from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut due to the escalating violence. “Americans should depart Lebanon while commercial options remain available,” the State Department said in a statement, signaling that evacuation plans may be under consideration.
Despite the airstrike and ongoing hostilities, Biden continues to push for diplomatic solutions. He held a call with his national security team over the weekend, discussing strategies to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. “It’s time for a cease-fire,” Biden told reporters.
As tensions rise, the Pentagon is reviewing its military posture in the region to ensure the protection of U.S. personnel and assets. The U.S. has already deployed additional troops to the Middle East in response to the growing conflict.
The death of Nasrallah marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, raising questions about the future stability of the region.
