President Joe Biden endorsed Israel’s airstrike against Hezbollah’s top official in a statement released Saturday and announced that the United States will enhance its military presence in the region.
He also ordered the United States to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East in response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The commander in chief, 81, called his death “justice” for the hundreds of Americans for whom he is responsible during his “four-decade reign of terror.”
Kamala Harris also issued a statement supporting Israel’s attack.
As Israel launched new airstrikes on Beirut on Saturday, Biden took steps to prevent the region from erupting into all-out war after Iran threatened to avenge Nasrallah’s death.
President Joe Biden speaks to the media after disembarking from Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. He announced that the U.S. military would increase its presence in the Middle East on Saturday.
Biden insisted that Israel has ‘the right to defend itself’ against terrorist factions backed by Tehran.
But he also stressed that a diplomatic solution and “de-escalation” was the best way to avoid a broader conflict.
This could be because Israel is now calling for the United States to come to its aid following the Hezbollah beheading attack. axios is reporting.
A general of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed alongside Nasrallah, reportedly frustrating Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah.
Despite repeated pleas from the White House to the Jewish nation to find a path to a ceasefire, the attack and the United States’ increased regional involvement appear to be an escalation for both nations.
“Just yesterday I directed my Secretary of Defense to further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war,” Biden said, revealing a shift of strategy.
“Ultimately, our goal is to de-escalate the current conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means,” Biden said in Saturday’s statement.
“In Gaza, we have been seeking an agreement backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.”
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in the southern suburb of Beirut early September 28, 2024. The Israeli military said on September 28 that it killed the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit in southern Lebanon in an airstrike, along with his deputy and several other leaders of the Iran-backed movement
Smoke rises over the southern suburbs of Beirut during Israeli attacks on September 28, 2024. The Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah confirmed on September 28 that its leader Hassan Nasrallah had been killed, after Israel said who had “eliminated” him in an attack in the south of Beirut the previous day
“In Lebanon, we have been negotiating an agreement that would allow people to return safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon.”
“It is time for these deals to be struck, for threats to Israel to be eliminated, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability.”
He also celebrated the death of the Hezbollah leader and explained why he was a target.
“Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans during a four-decade reign of terror.”
“His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of American, Israeli and Lebanese civilians,” the president said.
Kashmiri Shia Muslims protest against the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, on September 28, 2024.
A woman reacts while standing in the rain with other protesters during an anti-Israel protest in Tehran’s Palestine Square on September 28, 2024, after the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah confirmed reports of the assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah on an Israeli plane. strike in Beirut the day before
‘The attack that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join Hamas and open what he called a ‘northern front’. ‘against Israel.’
Finally, Biden gave his full approval to the military attack in Beirut.
“The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and any other terrorist group supported by Iran.”
Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement approving Israel’s attacks.
“I have an unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” he said.
“I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.”
Israel launched fresh attacks on Beirut again on Saturday afternoon after killing Hezbollah chief Nasrallah and a top Iranian commander in an attack on Friday.
The Israeli military said on Saturday afternoon that it had carried out an airstrike in the Dahieh area of Beirut, the same district targeted in the attack on Hezbollah’s headquarters in the city on Friday.
A Kashmiri Shia Muslim holds a photograph of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Confirming the death of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah pledged to continue fighting Israel, saying the leader had “joined his fellow martyrs.”
They said in a statement: “Hezbollah’s leadership is committed… to continuing its jihad to confront the enemy, support Gaza and Palestine, and defend Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.”
And Iran’s Supreme Leader vowed that “all regional resistance forces” would support Hezbollah, demanding a “strong” response to the attack.