US President Joe Biden said the Israeli military’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was a “measure of justice” for years of terror that claimed the lives of hundreds of Americans and thousands of other civilians. In his statement, Biden highlighted that this operation was a response to Nasrallah’s decision to open a “northern front” against Israel after the Hamas attack on October 7.
“Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he leads, Hezbollah, are responsible for the murder of hundreds of Americans during four decades of terror. His death in an Israeli airstrike is justice for his many victims,” Biden said. He also noted that Israel has every right to defend itself from attacks by Hezbollah, Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
Biden added that the United States will continue to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East to prevent an escalation by Iran. The President has directed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to send additional forces to the region to deter possible actions by Iran and its allies.
Despite his support for Israel’s actions, Biden stressed that the main American objective is to achieve a diplomatic de-escalation of the conflict in both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. He expressed hope for the conclusion of agreements that would allow the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip and the return of civilians in southern Lebanon and northern Israel to their homes.
Notably, Biden did not mention his initiative for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon, which did not materialize. However, the president stressed that “now is the time to close these agreements, eliminate threats to Israel and achieve greater stability in the region.”
Previously, Kursor wrote that the media revealed the first US reaction to the Israeli operation to eliminate Nasrallah.
