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Agence France-Presse

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel had “settled the score” with the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an air strike in Beirut.
“We settled the score with the one responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French,” he said in his first statement since Nasrallah’s death on Friday.
He was alluding to 1983 bombings in Beirut that killed 63 people at the US embassy and 241 US marines and 58 French paratroopers at their barracks.
Netanyahu said that as long as “terrorist” Nasrallah was alive, he “would quickly restore the capabilities we had eroded from Hezbollah” in a series of recent operations.
“So, I gave the order – and Nasrallah is no longer with us.”
The Israeli premier said his country was on the cusp of “what appears to be a historic turning point” in the fight against its “enemies”.

According to Netanyahu, who has faced growing criticism at home and abroad over his war policy after nearly a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip, the killing of the Hezbollah leader was essential for achieving Israel’s goals.
“Nasrallah’s elimination is a necessary condition for achieving the goals we set: the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes and the long-term alteration of the balance of power in the region,” he said.
It will also help facilitate the return of hostages seized by Hamas during its October 7 attack and still held in Gaza, he said.
“The more [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar sees that Hezbollah will no longer come to his aid, the greater the chances of returning our captives,” Netanyahu said.
“We are winning. We are determined to continue striking our enemies, returning our residents to their homes and bringing back all our hostages. We do not forget them for a moment.”
US President Joe Biden called the killing of Nasrallah “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians”.
In a statement on Saturday, Biden reiterated US support for “Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups”.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is running for president in November, called Nasrallah “a terrorist with American blood on his hands”.


The strong support from Washington, Israel’s top ally, came as Russia, several European countries and the United Nations warned of the killing’s potential repercussions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours”, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
“This cycle of violence must stop now, and all sides must step back from the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war.”
In his statement, Biden underscored the need for a diplomatic solution.
“Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means,” he said, mentioning a ceasefire proposal in Gaza and negotiations on allowing the safe return of residents to Israel and southern Lebanon.
“It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability,” he said.

In the meantime, Washington was reviewing its military presence in the region.
Biden said he had directed Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to “further enhance the defence posture of US military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war”.
Austin spoke twice with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Friday, stressing that “the United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict”, a Pentagon spokesperson said.
“The secretary made it clear that the United States remains postured to protect US forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defence of Israel.”
Also on Saturday, the State Department ordered family members of its diplomats in Beirut to leave, while authorising the departure of some staff “due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in Beirut.”
The agency also urged US citizens to leave “while commercial options still remain available”.


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Middle East

Netanyahu says Israel ‘settled the score’ with Hezbollah chief killing

Demonstrators hold pictures of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a protest vigil in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in the Chiyah area in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Soldiers patrol a street in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Who was Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief killed in an Israeli strike?

Protesters hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, on Saturday. Photo: AP

Protesters gather in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday after Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Beirut the previous day. Photo: AFP

Hezbollah leader Nasrallah killed in Israeli strike on Beirut

Smoke billows over Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Photo: Reuters

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in June, 2006 Photo: EPA-EFE

A woman mourns after hearing the news of the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Saturday. Photo: AP

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs during Israeli strikes on Saturday. Dahiyeh in Beirut’s southern suburbs are considered a stronghold of Hezbollah’s support. Photo: AFP

With nearly 700 killed in a week, Lebanon fears Gaza-like carnage as Israel ramps up strikes

A man walks on the rubble of destroyed buildings at the site of Israeli strikes in Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon. Photo: Reuters

 Israeli air strikes in the southern village of Kfar Rouman, as seen from Marjayoun, south Lebanon. Photo: AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File photo: AFP

A wounded girl lies in a hospital bed in the southern village of Saksakieh, Lebanon. Photo: AP

An Israeli armoured vehicle in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

An Israeli fighter jet ejects flares over the Lebanese capital Beirut. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

World

US President Biden calls Nasrallah’s death ‘a measure of justice’ for his victims, while other world leaders warn of repercussions


US President Biden calls Nasrallah’s death ‘a measure of justice’ for his victims, while other world leaders warn of repercussions.


Netanyahu says Israel ‘settled the score’ with Hezbollah chief killing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}US President Biden calls Nasrallah’s death ‘a measure of justice’ for his victims, while other world leaders warn of repercussions

US President Biden calls Nasrallah’s death ‘a measure of justice’ for his victims, while other world leaders warn of repercussions