In a significant development in the ongoing Middle East conflict, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The news of his death, confirmed by the Lebanese group on Saturday, sent shockwaves through the region and beyond.
US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for president, wasted no time in condemning Nasrallah, labeling him a ‘terrorist with American blood on his hands.’ She reiterated her strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
President Joe Biden echoed Harris’s sentiments, calling the Israeli strike a ‘measure of justice’ for victims of Nasrallah’s four-decade ‘reign of terror.’ He underscored that the operation to eliminate Nasrallah was part of the broader conflict that began with Hamas’s attacks on Israelis on October 7th, 2023. Biden noted that Nasrallah joined forces with Hamas the following day, opening a ‘northern front’ against Israel and subsequently leading Hezbollah in attacks that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese.
Nasrallah’s demise represents a significant blow to Hezbollah, the Lebanese group he led through decades of conflict with Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah transformed into a formidable military force with regional influence, becoming one of the most prominent Arab figures in generations. He was widely admired by his supporters for his defiance against Israel and the United States. However, his enemies viewed him as the head of a terrorist organization and a proxy for Iran’s Shi’ite Islamist theocracy.
Nasrallah’s regional influence was evident in the year-long conflict that began with the Gaza war. Hezbollah joined the fray by firing on Israel from southern Lebanon in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas. Yemeni and Iraqi groups, operating under the ‘Axis of Resistance’ umbrella, followed suit.
The White House, while acknowledging the impact of Nasrallah’s death on Hezbollah, expressed a desire to prevent the conflict from escalating into a wider regional war. The administration is seeking to contain the war between Israel and Hamas, both backed by Iran, from exploding into an all-out regional conflict.
In a statement echoing Biden’s emphasis on justice, Vice President Harris stated, “President Biden and I do not want to see conflict in the Middle East escalate into a broader regional war. Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region.”
The confirmation of Nasrallah’s death comes amid ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Biden’s top national security aides have been working to build support for a 21-day truce at the United Nations General Assembly. The hope is that such a ceasefire could also breathe new life into stalled efforts to secure a truce in Gaza.
