WASHINGTON

President Joe Biden said the Israeli killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut was "a measure of justice" and reiterated the US support for Israel against Hezbollah.

In a statement, Biden said Nasrallah and Hezbollah were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror.

"His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians," said the US president.

He said the strike that killed the Hezbollah leader came as part of the conflict that began with attacks by Hamas in Israel on Oct. 7.

"Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a 'northern front' against Israel," said Biden.

The president said the US fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups.

"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," said Biden.

He said the US aims to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means.

"In Gaza, we have been pursuing a deal backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon," said Biden.

"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 added.

Hezbollah has confirmed the killing of Nasrallah in a massive air attack on a densely populated neighborhood of Beirut on Friday evening.

Besides the onslaught on Gaza, Israel continues its extensive air raids in Lebanon that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands of others this week.