White House reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself after IDF strike on Hezbollah army chief

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White House, November 24, 2025. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters at the White House, November 24, 2025. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

The White House expresses its support for Israel’s right to defend itself following an IDF strike over the weekend that killed Hezbollah chief of staff Haytham Ali Tabatabai.

Asked during a Fox News interview whether US President Donald Trump supports yesterday’s assassination, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says she has not spoken to him specifically about the strike.

“But of course, the president supports Israel’s right to defend itself and to take out terrorist threats,” Leavitt adds.

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