The United States has ordered a strike force of fighter jets and navy warships to accelerate its deployment to the Middle East as the region braces for a possible attack by Iran and its allies, following the killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah members.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked the Abraham Lincoln strike group to speed up its deployment to the region, announcing the deployment of a guided-missile submarine, after talks with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Analysts note that the Pentagon rarely publicly announces submarine deployments. The US military has said it will deploy additional fighter jets and warships to the Middle East as Washington seeks to bolster Israel’s defenses.
The Iranian-backed Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on July 31. The killing sparked Iran’s threat of retaliation against Israel.
Iran blamed Israel for the killing. Israel has not claimed responsibility.
Haniyeh’s killing and the killing by Israel of the senior military commander of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group, Fuad Shukr, in a strike in Beirut, raised fears that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a wider Middle East war.
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This comes as Hamas appears to be refusing to resume ceasefire talks.
On Friday, the leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar called on Israel and Hamas to resume talks to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release deal by August 15.
Israel said last week it would send negotiators to take part in the meetings.
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Hamas initially said it was studying the offer, but has now signaled it may not participate in a new round of talks.
In a statement on Sunday (11/8), Hamas said mediators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar should present a plan to implement the proposals agreed upon last month, based on President Joe Biden’s proposal, instead of holding more rounds of negotiations or new proposals that provide for the occupation’s aggression.
Hamas says it has shown flexibility during the talks, but Israel’s actions show it is not serious about reaching a ceasefire agreement.
Also read: Iran Promises to Retaliate against Israeli Attacks
Thousands of people fled the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis over the weekend after the Israeli military warned of a new operation to flush out Hamas militants it said had regrouped there.
Khan Younis suffered extensive destruction during the IDF’s months-long battle to capture the city earlier this year. Biden outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal in his May 31 speech.
Washington and regional mediators have since tried to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza for the hostages but have repeatedly hit obstacles. (Theguardian/Z-2)
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