The U.S. is sending more troops to the Middle East as violence rises between Israel and Hezbollah. The Pentagon announced on Monday that additional U.S. military personnel will be deployed to the region. The move comes after Israeli airstrikes on Monday killed over 270 people in Lebanon.
It looks as if previously so energetic 🇺🇸 diplomatic efforts are now in a state of resignation – whatever they do there comes a new 🇮🇱 move that makes everything even more difficult. https://t.co/mOORBjfwjJ
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) September 22, 2024
This marks the deadliest confrontation since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The Israeli military has warned residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to leave their homes. They are preparing for a broader air campaign against Hezbollah.
“President Biden is beginning to acknowledge that he is simply running out of time to help forge a cease-fire and hostage deal with Hamas, his aides say. And the risk of a wider war has never looked greater.”https://t.co/X5WPWf4fG1 via @NYTimes
— Sjoerd de Jong (@sjoerdddejong) September 24, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate. Israeli warplanes are targeting alleged Hezbollah sites in southern and eastern Lebanon. The U.S. has proposed “concrete ideas” for restoring calm along the Israel-Lebanon border.
US sending more troops and a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said today, "what Hezbollah has built over a period of 20 years since the second Lebanon War, is in fact being destroyed by the IDF"
— Paul McLeary (@paulmcleary) September 23, 2024
These proposals will be presented to allies and partners at the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. State Department has warned American citizens to leave Lebanon.
U.S. increases troops amid rising tension
They cite the unpredictable nature of the conflict and recent explosions. Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder did not specify if the additional forces might assist in evacuating American citizens.
A decision on whether to keep the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East or proceed to the Asia-Pacific is expected soon. The new deployments follow increased violence between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The Biden administration has previously ordered overlapping deployment of carrier strike groups in the region to manage rising tensions.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in communication with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He is pressing for a ceasefire and reduced tensions in the region. Ryder emphasized the potential for a wider regional conflict.
He stated, “Given the escalation, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I don’t think we’re there yet, but it’s a dangerous situation.”
The American presence in the Middle East aims to provide support to the region and prevent further spread of violence.
