In a significant development, President Joe Biden praised the Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a “measure of justice” for his reign of terror over four decades.

Nasrallah, one of the founders of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, was confirmed dead in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Biden highlighted Nasrallah’s decision to join forces with Hamas after the group’s massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.

President Biden emphasized that Nasrallah’s actions had resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans and hailed his demise as a significant blow to Hezbollah. The administration sought to navigate the delicate balance of containing the conflict between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah to prevent a broader regional conflict.

The confirmation of Nasrallah’s death came amidst efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, with Biden calling for peace in both Gaza and between Israel and Hezbollah.

The White House acted swiftly to address the situation after Israel’s strike, reiterating its commitment to peace in the region. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S. of complicity in the strike that killed Nasrallah.

As tensions escalated, the State Department ordered the departure of U.S. diplomats’ families from Beirut due to the volatile security situation in Lebanon’s capital.

The developments marked a critical turning point in the conflict, with Israel vowing to continue its operations against Hezbollah until Israeli citizens displaced by rocket attacks can return home.