2 months ago
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In a statement following the death of
Hezbollah
leader
Hassan Nasrallah
in an Israeli airstrike, US President Joe Biden, in a statement, called it "a measure of justice" on Saturday.
"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," said Biden.
Nasrallah’s death comes amid an intensifying conflict that erupted after
Hamas
’s deadly October 7, 2023, assault on
Israel
, which claimed the lives of over a thousand people.
The day following that attack, Nasrallah announced Hezbollah’s decision to join the conflict, opening a "northern front" against Israel.
Biden reaffirmed the US's unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself against groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and other Iranian-backed militant organizations. "The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups," he said.
The president also revealed that he had ordered
US military
forces in the region to enhance their defense posture in an effort to deter further aggression and prevent a broader war.
Despite the heightened tensions, Biden stressed that the ultimate goal remains de-escalation through diplomatic efforts. He said that the US is working with the United Nations Security Council to broker a deal "for a ceasefire and the release of hostages" in Gaza. "In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon. It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader
Middle East region to gain greater stability," Biden added.
The US State Department had earlier cautioned American citizens and the families of embassy personnel in Beirut to leave the country while authorising the departure of some staff to leave Lebanon and restated its advisory against any travel to the nation.
In a statement released on Saturday, the department said, "Due to the increased volatility following airstrikes within Beirut and the volatile and unpredictable security situation throughout Lebanon, the US Embassy urges US citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available."
Meanwhile, US vice president Kamala Harris, who was attending two campaign fundraisers in California, released a separate statement that aligned with Biden's stance on Nasrallah's death. In her statement, she emphasised her steadfast dedication to Israel's security, stating her commitment was "unwavering."
