United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to sail quickly to the area. This decision follows a call between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Galant amidst escalating tensions in the region following the killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The Pentagon stated that the US is committed to defending Israel and has strengthened its military force posture and capabilities in the Middle East.
The USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine, and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group are being deployed to the region. The move is rare for the US to publicly announce the deployment of a submarine, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The US military is also planning to deploy additional fighter aircraft and warships to reinforce Israeli defenses from potential attacks by Iran.
The tensions in the region were heightened by the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and promised retaliation, while Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attacks. The conflict in Gaza has raised concerns about the possibility of a regional war, as demonstrated by the recent Israeli attack on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, which resulted in numerous casualties.
The US announcement of deploying military assets to the Middle East comes amidst international efforts to secure a ceasefire and release hostages in Gaza. Hamas has called for the implementation of a ceasefire proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden in May, urging the US, Qatar, and Egypt to take action instead of engaging in further negotiations. The situation remains tense in the region, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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