U.S. officials have been working to reduce tensions in the Middle East, but are now adding more military resources to the region.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of the USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, to the Middle East. This is a significant move as the deployment of these submarines is typically not publicized.
In addition, Sec. Austin instructed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to expedite its move to the region, where the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group is already stationed.
Over the weekend, an Israeli airstrike hit a mosque and a school in Gaza being used as a shelter by displaced individuals.
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The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reported at least 80 people killed and 50 others injured, many of whom were women and children. Israeli officials allege that Hamas fighters were hiding in the shelter.
While the threat of a retaliatory strike by Iran on Israel looms, following the assassination of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran, the U.S. State Department is actively addressing the conflict in the region.
U.S. State Dept. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated, “We are committed to helping Israel defend itself and have bolstered military capabilities in the region for this purpose. However, we are also working diplomatically to prevent further escalation in the conflict.”
Efforts are being made to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, with a meeting scheduled for Thursday involving officials from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to send negotiators to the meeting, while Hamas insists on honoring a previously negotiated cease-fire deal without additional discussions.
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