US President Joe Biden welcomes Israeli attack killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as ‘measure of justice’

President Joe Biden on Saturday called the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah a “measure of justice,” underscoring the significant impact of Nasrallah’s death on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Speaking in Washington, Biden linked the operation to the broader conflict between Israel and militant groups in the region, which has escalated dramatically since Hamas massacred Israeli civilians on October 7 last year.

According to an official statement from Hezbollah, Nasrallah, one of the founding leaders of Hezbollah, died on Friday as a result of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. It marks a significant moment in the region’s tense political and military landscape, as Nasrallah’s death signals a potential shift in combat dynamics in Lebanon, as well as a broader regional power struggle involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Biden: “Nasrallah’s Death Is Justice for His Victims”

In his remarks, President Biden highlighted the role Nasrallah played in perpetuating violence against civilians, characterizing the strike as a justified response to the thousands of deaths due to Hezbollah’s actions under Nasrallah’s leadership.

“Nasrallah’s removal took place in the broader context of a conflict that began with the massacre of Israelis by Hamas on October 7 last year,” Biden said. He pointed to the aftermath of the attack when Nasrallah made the “fatal decision” to join forces with Hamas, opening a northern front against Israel, escalating violence in an already unstable region.

“Hezbollah, under Nasrallah’s command, was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians,” Biden continued. “This action by Israel is a measure of justice for its many victims.”

Nasrallah, who came to power within Hezbollah in the early 1990s, was seen as a key figure in the group’s resistance to Israel as well as its alliance with Iran. Over the years, Hezbollah’s involvement in attacks on military and civilian targets has made Nasrallah one of the most influential and controversial figures in the Middle East.

Hezbollah confirms Nasrallah’s death

Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death on Friday in a short statement, marking the end of his decades-long leadership of the militant organization. The raid, which targeted Nasrallah’s hideout on the outskirts of Beirut, was part of an ongoing Israeli campaign to neutralize the leadership of both Hezbollah and Hamas amid heightened tensions in the region.

“Nasrallah’s martyrdom is a testament to the resilience of the resistance movement,” Hezbollah said in a statement. “The Zionist regime will pay dearly for this crime.”

Nasrallah’s death has left a significant leadership vacuum in Hezbollah, raising questions about the group’s future strategy and its relationship with Iran, which has long been its main supporter. While Nasrallah’s successor has not yet been named, analysts suggest Hezbollah will likely face internal challenges as it adjusts to the loss of its iconic leader.

The US is strengthening its defense posture in the Middle East

In response to Nasrallah’s death and the potential fallout from the airstrike, President Biden announced additional measures to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the Middle East. He directed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to further strengthen the U.S. defense posture in the region to deter potential aggression and reduce the risk of the conflict expanding beyond Gaza and Lebanon.

Biden emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon, stating: “Washington’s goal is to de-escalate ongoing conflicts through diplomatic means.”

Despite Biden’s strong stance on Nasrallah’s death, his administration has made clear it had no prior knowledge of the Israeli attack. Several U.S. officials have expressed concerns about Israel’s decision-making, pointing to the potential complications that could arise from such unilateral actions.

Although the Biden administration has reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self-defense, some officials have expressed frustration with Israel’s approach to Hezbollah and Hamas, especially after the killing of Nasrallah.

One anonymous US official told Axios: “Nasrallah was a bad guy, but what’s frustrating is that the Israelis do this without consulting us and then ask us to clean up when it comes to deterring Iran.”

Another U.S. official, also quoted by Axios, said that while the administration agreed that Nasrallah was a dangerous figure with “blood on his hands,” it questioned whether Israel’s “whack-a-mole” approach to attacking militant leaders would solve the broader strategic problem of concerns in region.

“Eliminating individual leaders like Nasrallah, while impactful, does not necessarily address the root causes of the conflict,” the official added.

Strategic Implications of Nasrallah’s Death

Nasrallah’s death will likely have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East, especially in the context of Hezbollah’s relationship with Iran. Tehran has long used Hezbollah as a proxy force to challenge Israel and expand its influence in the region, and Nasrallah’s assassination could trigger a new round of escalation between Israel and Iran-backed forces.

Although Israel maintained that the airstrike was a necessary measure to neutralize an immediate threat, the action is expected to complicate U.S. efforts to de-escalate tensions with Iran. In the weeks following the strike, concerns grow that Hezbollah, bolstered by Iran’s support, could retaliate against Israel or U.S. interests in the region.

Lebanese politics is also facing serious upheavals. Hezbollah, both as a militant group and a political entity, wields considerable power in Lebanon’s unstable government. Nasrallah’s death could exacerbate internal divisions and weaken the group’s influence on the country’s political landscape, potentially leading to a power struggle or further instability in Beirut.

Northern Front: a new chapter in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict?

The Israeli airstrike on Nasrallah fits into the broader context of brutal confrontations that have defined the northern front of Israel’s ongoing battle with Hezbollah. After Hamas’ deadly incursion into Israel last October, Nasrallah moved quickly to open a new front against Israeli forces from Lebanon, engaging in sporadic clashes along Israel’s northern border.

With Nasrallah gone, questions remain about Hezbollah’s future strategy. Will the group withdraw from active confrontation with Israel, or will it seek to avenge its fallen leader by escalating hostilities?

Some experts say Hezbollah, after losing its most prominent leader, could face pressure from both rank-and-file members and Iranian backers to continue fighting. Others, however, believe Nasrallah’s death could usher in a period of internal recalibration, especially as Hezbollah seeks to stabilize its political and military wings.

In the short term, the Israeli military has prepared for the possibility of retaliation from Hezbollah, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered increased vigilance along the northern border.

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced criticism both at home and abroad for its handling of the conflict with Hezbollah. While Nasrallah’s death will likely be seen as a victory in the eyes of many Israelis, especially those living in areas affected by Hezbollah’s rocket fire, it also risks further alienating key international allies.

The United States, in particular, is walking a tightrope in response to recent events. Although Biden has reaffirmed America’s commitment to Israel’s security, there is a growing sense in Washington that Israel’s increasingly aggressive actions could undermine efforts to find a more stable, diplomatic solution to the conflict.

“We are committed to Israel’s right to defend itself,” Biden said, “but we must also work for broader, lasting peace in the region.”

What’s next?

As the region grapples with the fallout from Nasrallah’s death, a broader question remains: How will this impact the trajectory of the conflict between Israel, Hezbollah and Hamas? For now, the killing of Nasrallah appears to have only exacerbated tensions and heightened fears of further escalation.

In the coming weeks and months, much will depend on Hezbollah’s response, on how Israel manages its northern front, and on whether the United States can successfully maintain the delicate balance between supporting its ally and preventing a broader regional war.

Amid the looming shadow of Iran’s involvement, Nasrallah’s death could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the Middle East – one that could either bring acrimonious peace or descend into even greater chaos. Time will tell which path the region will choose.