WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah:
“Hassan Nasrallah, head of the terrorist group Hezbollah, has decades of blood on his hands. He is responsible for the deaths of Americans, Lebanese, Israelis, Syrians, and countless others, and his death is a modicum of justice for all those who have suffered as a result of his acts of terror. The future of the people of Lebanon — a state he helped hold hostage — and the region is more hopeful without him.
"The United States stands ready to defend its citizens and deter the threat posed by Iranian-backed terrorist groups like Hezbollah, and supports Israel’s right to do the same.
"The people of Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, and the entire region have suffered enough. Now is the time for all of us to redouble diplomatic efforts and prevent further escalation that would threaten the Middle East. There must be a negotiation for a ceasefire that protects innocent Israeli and Lebanese citizens and secures a broader agreement to end the conflict in Gaza, surge humanitarian assistance, and bring the hostages home now. The path forward must be one of peace, not more violence.”
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