US deploys additional forces in response to Israel's attacks on Lebanon
The US is deploying a “small number” of extra troops to the Middle East following Israel's initiation of a military operation against Hezbollah. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The IDF is currently preparing for the “next phases” of its military operation against Hezbollah amidst escalating tensions.
Following Israel's launch of a large-scale military operation against Lebanon, regarded as the most deadly confrontation since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war, the US has announced the deployment of a “small number” of additional troops to the Middle East.
On Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the deployment but did not specify the exact number or mission of the American forces.
”In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces already in the region,” Ryder stated. “But for operational security reasons, I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics.”
Currently, approximately 40,000 US troops are stationed in the Middle East, supported by several Navy warships and aircraft carriers, including the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Abraham Lincoln. These military assets are distributed across various locations, ready to respond to threats against Israel and US interests in the area.
Last week, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah intensified dramatically after thousands of pagers and communication devices used by Hezbollah exploded simultaneously, resulting in at least 37 deaths and around 3,000 injuries, including among children. Following this, Israeli jets struck Beirut, killing senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil. In response, Hezbollah launched numerous rockets at Israel and declared an “open-ended battle of reckoning” on Sunday.
On Monday, Israel commenced a large-scale operation against Hezbollah, termed “Northern Arrows,” with the IDF claiming to have hit “approximately 1,600 Hezbollah terrorist targets” in a series of strikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
”We are striking targets and preparing for the next phases, which I will elaborate on shortly,” stated Chief of Israel’s General Staff Herzi Halevi. “Essentially, we are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years. This is very significant.”
By day’s end, the Israeli strikes had resulted in the deaths of at least 492 individuals, including 35 children and 58 women, while injuring 1,645, according to the latest updates from Lebanon's health ministry.
In response to the ongoing situation, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in multiple discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Lebanon has urged American citizens to evacuate the country.
Additionally, the US is attempting to find a political “off-ramp” for both Israel and Hezbollah to ease tensions and avert a full-scale war, as communicated by an unnamed senior State Department official to various media outlets on Monday. Discussions regarding “concrete ideas” for peace are expected to take place with allies and partners during the upcoming annual UN General Assembly.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Following Israel's launch of a large-scale military operation against Lebanon, regarded as the most deadly confrontation since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war, the US has announced the deployment of a “small number” of additional troops to the Middle East.
On Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the deployment but did not specify the exact number or mission of the American forces.
”In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces already in the region,” Ryder stated. “But for operational security reasons, I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics.”
Currently, approximately 40,000 US troops are stationed in the Middle East, supported by several Navy warships and aircraft carriers, including the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Abraham Lincoln. These military assets are distributed across various locations, ready to respond to threats against Israel and US interests in the area.
Last week, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah intensified dramatically after thousands of pagers and communication devices used by Hezbollah exploded simultaneously, resulting in at least 37 deaths and around 3,000 injuries, including among children. Following this, Israeli jets struck Beirut, killing senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil. In response, Hezbollah launched numerous rockets at Israel and declared an “open-ended battle of reckoning” on Sunday.
On Monday, Israel commenced a large-scale operation against Hezbollah, termed “Northern Arrows,” with the IDF claiming to have hit “approximately 1,600 Hezbollah terrorist targets” in a series of strikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
”We are striking targets and preparing for the next phases, which I will elaborate on shortly,” stated Chief of Israel’s General Staff Herzi Halevi. “Essentially, we are targeting combat infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building for the past 20 years. This is very significant.”
By day’s end, the Israeli strikes had resulted in the deaths of at least 492 individuals, including 35 children and 58 women, while injuring 1,645, according to the latest updates from Lebanon's health ministry.
In response to the ongoing situation, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in multiple discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Lebanon has urged American citizens to evacuate the country.
Additionally, the US is attempting to find a political “off-ramp” for both Israel and Hezbollah to ease tensions and avert a full-scale war, as communicated by an unnamed senior State Department official to various media outlets on Monday. Discussions regarding “concrete ideas” for peace are expected to take place with allies and partners during the upcoming annual UN General Assembly.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
