Israel’s recent airstrike, which killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, represents a critical victory in the ongoing battle against terror. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist organization, has long threatened not only Israel but the broader stability of the Middle East. For decades, it has served as a puppet for Iranian aggression, and Nasrallah, as its leader since 1992, presided over its transformation into a military force and terrorist organization. While some voices call for ceasefires or pressure Israel to seek peace, such demands are misguided and dangerously naïve in the face of Hezbollah’s continued threat.

The elimination of Nasrallah is a blow not only to Hezbollah but to the entire Iranian proxy apparatus in the region. As Max Boot of The Washington Post has noted, Nasrallah’s death does not mean the automatic disbanding of Hezbollah. His successor may be just as capable of continuing Hezbollah’s reign of terror. However, Israel’s military campaign is not simply about leadership decapitation; it is about dismantling the infrastructure of terror that has taken root in Lebanon.

Some argue, like Arash Azizi of The Atlantic, that now is the time for Israel to pursue peace from a position of strength. While peace is always a desirable end, it must be pursued in a way that does not empower evil. A ceasefire now would allow Hezbollah to regroup and rearm, effectively undoing the successes of Israel’s recent campaign. This is not a time for half-measures. Israel’s ongoing strikes are intended to permanently degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities and prevent further terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens and military personnel. To suggest that peace can be achieved while Hezbollah still wields power in Lebanon is dangerously naïve.

Furthermore, the notion that Israel should be forced into a ceasefire by withholding military aid, as suggested by some, such as the editorial board of The Guardian, is both wrongheaded and immoral. Israel’s right to defend itself is non-negotiable. For decades, Hezbollah has launched unprovoked attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers, often at Iran’s bidding. The United States and other Western nations should not merely tolerate Israel’s actions—they should actively support them. Hezbollah is an enemy of the West, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, including in the infamous 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. As the National Review editors correctly noted, Israel’s actions in recent months have crippled Hezbollah’s military strength and should be celebrated.

The calls for a ceasefire fail to acknowledge the true nature of Hezbollah. This group is not merely a political faction within Lebanon but a terrorist organization that has hijacked large portions of the country’s government and economy. Max Boot is right in pointing out that Hezbollah is entrenched as a quasi-governmental agency in southern Lebanon. But that is no reason for Israel to stop its offensive. On the contrary, Israel’s continued military operations open the door for Lebanon to rebuild itself without the oppressive shadow of Hezbollah’s terror.

Emily Harding’s analysis in The Wall Street Journal lays out the hopeful future that could arise from Hezbollah’s downfall. Without the constant threat of rocket fire from Iran’s proxy, Lebanon could finally begin to rebuild its fractured economy and shattered political system. The Lebanese people deserve the chance to live in peace, but that peace can only come when Hezbollah is no longer able to dominate the country through terror and violence.

In the end, the ultimate responsibility for the ongoing conflict lies not with Israel but with Iran and its proxies. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has tried to present his regime as a peaceful player, stating that Iran would disarm if Israel did so as well. But such statements ring hollow in light of Iran’s long history of funding and supporting terror throughout the Middle East. Iran started this war through Hezbollah and Hamas, and it is Iran, not Israel, that must be pressured to lay down arms first.

As Christians, we understand that peace cannot be built on the foundations of evil. The Bible speaks clearly about the role of governments in administering justice (Romans 13:4). Israel’s military action against Hezbollah is a just response to years of violence and terror. It is a defense of innocent lives and a blow against the forces of darkness that seek to destroy peace in the region.

The world must recognize Israel’s moral right to defend itself against terror. A ceasefire now would only serve to embolden Hezbollah and allow it to continue its campaign of violence. Israel’s continued military operations are not only justified; they are necessary for the long-term security of the region and the hope for a peaceful future in Lebanon. As Christians who believe in justice and the sanctity of life, we should stand firmly behind Israel’s right to protect its people and eradicate the evil of Hezbollah.