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 more quickly to the area amid mounting tensions in the region. The move comes following the killings of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, with concerns rising about Iran’s potential response.
Austin’s order came after a telephone call with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, where he reaffirmed the US commitment to defending Israel and strengthening military force posture in the Middle East. The USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine, was already in the Mediterranean Sea, while the USS Abraham Lincoln was in the Asia Pacific and had been ordered to the Middle East.
The decision to reinforce US military presence in the area comes after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. The conflict in Gaza has raised concerns about a potential regional war, with additional fighter aircraft and warships being deployed to the Middle East to support Israeli defenses.
The announcement coincided with a deadly attack on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, where at least 90 people were killed. Discussions between Austin and Galant also focused on civilian protection, securing a ceasefire, and the release of hostages in Gaza.
Efforts for a ceasefire are being renewed, with Hamas calling for the implementation of a proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden in May. The situation remains highly volatile, with the US taking decisive steps to prevent further escalation in the region.
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