Biden Calls Nasrallah’s Death a “Measure of Justice,” Reaffirms US Support for Israel

On Saturday, September 28, U.S. President Joe Biden described the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as “a measure of justice,” highlighting the militant group’s responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of Americans during Nasrallah’s nearly 40-year leadership.

Hezbollah officially confirmed that their leader was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut the day before.

In a statement released by the White House, Biden remarked, “Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah, the terrorist group he commanded, are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans throughout his four decades of terror. His death in an Israeli airstrike serves as justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.”

Biden further explained that the strike occurred within the broader context of the conflict that erupted after Hamas’s deadly assault on October 7, 2023. He noted that Nasrallah had made the critical decision to join forces with Hamas and open a “northern front” against Israel.

Reaffirming Washington’s support for Israel, Biden stated, “The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations.”

On Friday, Biden had also directed U.S. Secretary of Defense to strengthen the military’s defensive posture in the Middle East to deter aggression and mitigate the risk of a wider regional war.

While pursuing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Biden emphasized the importance of reaching a deal that would lead to a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and greater regional stability. He stated, “It’s time for these agreements to be finalized, the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the Middle East to move towards greater peace and security.”