Biden calls Israeli strike killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah a ‘measure of justice’

US President Joe Biden has described the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike as a “measure of justice” for his role in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Speaking on Saturday, Biden said the strike brought retribution for victims in Lebanon, Israel, and the United States.

Nasrallah, a key figure and co-founder of Hezbollah, was confirmed dead by the group following the strike on Friday in Beirut. Biden tied the event to the broader conflict that began after the Hamas-led attacks on Israelis last year.

“Nasrallah made the decision to side with Hamas and launch what he termed a ‘northern front’ against Israel,” Biden stated. His remarks underscored the long-standing accusation that Nasrallah and Hezbollah had been responsible for extensive civilian casualties, including Americans.

Biden also emphasised that he had instructed US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to bolster US military defences across the Middle East, aiming to “deter aggression” and “reduce the risk of a broader regional war.” The president expressed a continued commitment to de-escalating conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon via diplomatic channels.

Despite Biden’s support for Nasrallah’s removal, he maintained that the US administration had no prior knowledge of the Israeli strike. Some US officials expressed concern over Israel’s unilateral action. “Nasrallah was a bad guy, but it is frustrating that the Israelis are doing this without consulting us,” one official told *Axios*.

While another US official remarked that Nasrallah “had blood on his hands,” they questioned whether Israel’s approach to targeting key figures would address the larger regional challenges.