U.S. lawmakers and officials have responded to the death of Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah, in a targeted Israeli attack in a Beirut suburb. Many in Washington view Nasrallah’s death as a significant victory against terrorism, although concerns about potential escalations in the Middle East remain.
Nasrallah, who led the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terror group, was killed alongside several top commanders in an Israeli airstrike on September 27. Israel’s military confirmed the strike as part of a broader effort to neutralize Hezbollah’s leadership after the group joined the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
President Joe Biden praised the Israeli operation and framed it as part of an effort to bring justice to victims of Hezbollah’s attacks. He emphasized U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and linked Nasrallah’s death to Hamas’ large-scale attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill expressed support for Israel’s action and characterized Nasrallah’s death as a blow to terrorism and a win for international security. House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated his demise as the end of a “reign of bloodshed, oppression, and terror.” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell compared Nasrallah’s death to past efforts by the U.S. to eliminate key terrorist figures.
Despite widespread praise for the Israeli strike, concerns about potential repercussions surfaced within the U.S. government. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reiterated that efforts must be made to prevent further escalation in the region while emphasizing that all-out war should be avoided.
Biden directed Austin to enhance U.S. military assets’ defense posture in the Middle East with aims at deterring aggression and reducing risks of broader regional conflict. The president also expressed his administration’s pursuit of diplomatic means such as cease-fire deals and peace agreements for stability in Gaza and Lebanon.
The strike on Nasrallah is part of an ongoing Israeli military campaign targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon. Prior strikes killed additional senior Hezbollah commanders according to Israel’s military announcements.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will continue its campaign against Hezbollah while considering Nasrallah’s killing essential towards achieving its war goals.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Nasrallah’s killing as an “atrocity” promising revenge.
