Fears of the Israel-Hamas war escalating into a broader conflict in the Middle East have increased, with Washington warning of a significant risk to U.S. interests in the region. Israel has been pounding Gaza, and clashes on its border with Lebanon have intensified. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli air strikes have killed 266 Palestinians, including 117 children, in the past 24 hours. Israel has imposed a total siege on the enclave since a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen on October 7. In Syria, Israeli missiles have targeted Damascus and Aleppo international airports, causing them to shut down and resulting in the deaths of two workers. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has clashed with Israeli forces along the northern border with Lebanon, marking the deadliest escalation of frontier violence since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Israel has added 14 communities near Lebanon and Syria to its evacuation contingency plan due to the increasing violence along its borders. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has called on the international community to create a united front to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza and allow much-needed aid to enter. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced that the United States will send more military assets to the Middle East to support Israel and strengthen its defense posture in response to recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces. Austin expressed concern about the potential escalation of attacks on U.S. troops and people in the region and advised against any group or country attempting to widen the conflict.The United States is sending military reinforcements to the Middle East in order to deter attacks by Iran-affiliated forces. This includes two aircraft carriers, support ships, and about 2,000 Marines. Additionally, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and extra Patriot air defense missile system battalions will be deployed to the region, with more troops on standby.
According to Iranian security officials, Iran’s strategy in the Middle East is for proxies like Hezbollah to carry out limited strikes on Israeli and U.S. targets, while avoiding a major escalation that would involve Tehran. This is seen as a high-risk approach for the Islamic Republic.
In response to Hamas militants breaching the border and killing 1,400 people, mainly civilians, Israel launched an aerial blitz on Gaza. The retaliation resulted in the deaths of at least 4,741 people and the displacement of over a million residents. Israel has also amassed tanks and troops near the fenced border for a planned ground invasion to eliminate Hamas.
Hamas’s armed wing continued to fire rockets at Tel Aviv, although there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Palestinians in Gaza received warnings from the Israeli military to move from the north to the south to avoid the deadliest areas of the conflict. Military leaflets were dropped, warning that staying in place could lead to being identified as sympathizers with a “terrorist organization.”
Overall, the situation in the Middle East remains tense, with the United States and Israel taking measures to protect their interests and deter further attacks. The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating, with both sides continuing to engage in hostilities.Israel continues to carry out airstrikes in Gaza, targeting militants who often use residential buildings as cover.
After days of negotiations, the first humanitarian aid convoy was allowed into Gaza from Egypt. The convoy, consisting of 20 trucks, brought life-saving medical supplies and some food, according to the U.N.
A second convoy, loaded with medical and food supplies, entered the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. It is currently being inspected before proceeding into Gaza.
Witnesses reported an explosion and ambulance sirens shortly after the second convoy entered the crossing. The cause and exact location of the incident are still unclear.
The U.N. humanitarian office stated that the volume of aid entering Gaza so far is only 4% of the daily average before the conflict. This is far from sufficient, as food, water, medicines, and fuel stocks are running out.
In the southern town of Khan Younis, Gazans deprived of electricity and water are struggling to feed their children. Saleh Skafi, a father of four from north Gaza who is now sheltering in Khan Younis, expressed the dire situation, saying that if the lack of supplies continues for two more days, it will be catastrophic.
The article was reported by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Michelle Nichols in New York, and the Washington and Jerusalem bureaus. It was written by Lincoln Feast, Mark Heinrich, and Nick Macfie. The editing was done by William Mallard, Jason Neely, and Lisa Shumaker.
The article adheres to The Thomson RushHourDaily Trust Principles. The author is a senior correspondent with extensive experience covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including multiple wars and the signing of the first historic peace accord between the two sides.
The post Israel pummels Gaza as US sees significant risk of attacks on Mideast interests appeared first on Rush Hour Daily News | Breaking News, U.S & World News, Politics & Opinions - News around the Worlds.
