**US Unaware of Israeli Airstrike on Hezbollah Leader, Cautions Civilian Casualties**

The White House revealed on Sunday that it had no prior knowledge of the airstrike that resulted in the death of Hezbollah's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a Beirut suburb. Despite this, the US reaffirmed its steadfast support for Israel while assuming there have been civilian casualties from the attack.

John Kirby, the national security spokesperson, clarified that the US had not been informed about the airstrike. President Joe Biden only became aware of the situation once Israeli aircraft were already airborne. In an interview with CNN, Kirby stated, "We certainly assume there have been civilian casualties. I don't think we can quantify it right now but we are in touch with our Israeli counterparts."

The airstrike has escalated tensions, with Iran accusing the US of being "complicit" in Israel’s actions and vowing retaliation. Kirby expressed concerns about the potential of the conflict expanding into a regional war. He emphasized that the US is prepared to defend its troops, facilities, as well as Israel.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was reportedly informed of the strike upon his return to Washington from speaking engagements in New York. Blinken stressed the importance of diplomacy as Israel's bombing of Lebanon continues, underscoring the precarious position the Middle East faces.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin communicated with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, discussing the situation in Lebanon and reiterating the US's commitment to deterring Iran and its allies from exacerbating the conflict. Kirby reiterated the unwavering US support for Israel's security but highlighted that President Biden will continue to advocate for the protection of civilians.

Acknowledging Nasrallah’s role as a terrorist, Kirby remarked, "I don't think anyone is mourning the loss of Mr. Nasrallah... While we don't mourn his death, we certainly mourn the loss of any civilian life." Nevertheless, he avoided criticizing Israel's tactics of conducting airstrikes in densely populated neighborhoods.

On Sunday, significant political figures also weighed in on the airstrike. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly commended the IDF's message to Hezbollah and expressed confidence in Israel's efforts to minimize civilian casualties through the use of guided munitions. Likewise, Senator Marco Rubio noted that any defensive actions putting the Iranian regime on edge are beneficial to global stability, including for the US and Israel.