Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a Friday airstrike on September 27, sparking global attention. On Saturday, U.S. President Biden and Speaker of the House of Representatives Johnson released statements emphasizing that Nasrallah’s death brought justice. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s allies in the Middle East condemned Israel’s actions and expressed condolences for Nasrallah.
President Biden said in a statement that Nasrallah and his terrorist organization Hezbollah had “killed hundreds of Americans during their 40-year reign of terror.” His death in an Israeli airstrike was seen as “a step towards justice for the many victims, including countless Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.”
The President explained that the airstrike targeting Nasrallah was part of a broader context. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massacre against Israel. The following day, Nasrallah made a significant decision: to join forces with Hamas and open a “Northern Front” against Israel.
“The United States fully supports Israel’s right to self-defense against Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthi militants, and any other Iran-backed terrorist organizations. Just yesterday, I instructed the Secretary of Defense to further strengthen U.S. military defense posture in the Middle East to deter aggression and reduce the risk of broader regional conflict,” Biden said.
The President emphasized, “Our ultimate goal is to use diplomatic means to ease the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. In Gaza, we have been working to achieve a UN Security Council-backed agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages; in Lebanon, negotiations are ongoing to secure a deal that will allow the safe return of people in southern Israel and Lebanon. Now is the time to reach these agreements, eliminate the threats to Israel, and bring greater stability to the wider Middle East region.”
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders in the House of Representatives also issued statements regarding Israel’s killing of Nasrallah.
The statement declared an end to Hassan Nasrallah’s bloody, oppressive, and terror-filled reign. As a puppet of the Iranian regime, he was one of the most brutal terrorists on the planet, a coward who hid behind women and children to carry out attacks. The statement expressed gratitude to Israel’s brave men and women in uniform for bringing justice to the victims of Nasrallah’s crimes in Israel and their families.
The statement noted that Israel is fighting for its right to survival.
Russia strongly condemned Israel’s fatal attack on Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and demanded an immediate cessation of all hostile actions. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that this series of violent actions could have serious consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East region.
Hezbollah’s ally, the Palestinian armed group Hamas, mourned Nasrallah’s death and urged Israel to be held accountable for its actions. Hamas reiterated its “full support” for Hezbollah.
The Houthi group in Yemen, allied with Iran, also expressed condolences for Nasrallah’s death. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that retaliation would be carried out for Nasrallah’s death.
Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi militants are partners in an alliance led by Iran known as the “Axis of Resistance,” viewing Israel as their primary enemy.