WASHINGTON: The US is preparing to send additional combat aircraft to the Middle East in response to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran after assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, in a rocket strike in Tehran on Wednesday.
American forces in the region are taking steps to enhance combat readiness and protect US troops and allies from potential threats posed by Iran and other regional actors.
Details on the number of aircraft to be deployed remain unclear, but officials indicate that the US is working to balance its deployment to effectively support Israel without escalating the conflict further.
The report follows a discussion between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about increasing US military support for Israel.
The White House confirmed that the President addressed efforts to bolster Israel’s defense against threats, including ballistic missiles and drones, through new military deployments.
The move comes nine months after Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza that resulted in nearly 39,500 Palestinian deaths.
Regional tensions have surged, marked by the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and increased aggression from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Yemen’s Houthi group targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Despite calls from the UN and regional nations for a cease-fire and de-escalation, Israel continued its military operation against Palestinians in Gaza, and attacking other countries including Lebanon and Syria.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to impose a “heavy price” on any party attacking Israel in response to its aggression.
