United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East amid mounting tensions following the killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The move comes after a phone call between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, during which Austin reiterated the US commitment to defend Israel.
The nuclear-powered submarine USS Georgia was already in the Mediterranean Sea, but the deployment of a submarine is rare for the US military to publicly announce. The USS Abraham Lincoln, previously in the Asia Pacific, had already been ordered to the Middle East to replace another aircraft carrier strike group.
The US military is also deploying additional fighter aircraft and warships to reinforce Israeli defenses from possible attacks by Iran. The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut has raised concerns of a potential regional war.
The Pentagon stated that the importance of mitigating civilian harm, securing a ceasefire, and the release of hostages in Gaza were also discussed during the call between Austin and Galant. Nearly 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict since last October, with renewed efforts from the US and other allies for a ceasefire.
Hamas has called for the implementation of a ceasefire proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden in May, urging the US, Qatar, and Egypt to submit a plan instead of holding more negotiations. The situation remains tense in the region, with concerns over further escalation and civilian casualties.
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