The U.S. announced on Monday that it is deploying a “small number” of additional military personnel to the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed the deployment but did not provide specifics on the number of forces being sent. The U.S. already has about 40,000 troops stationed in the region.
“In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region,” Ryder told reporters.
The decision comes as Israel intensifies airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions. Israeli forces launched widespread attacks throughout Monday, striking areas from southern to northern Lebanon. Lebanese officials reported at least 356 fatalities, including 21 children, and 1,246 injuries. Thousands of civilians have been displaced as a result of the bombardments.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of aiming to destroy villages and green spaces across the country. The Israeli military, however, maintained that its operations were targeting Hezbollah strongholds.
In retaliation, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel’s Rafael Electronics Company near Haifa, as well as other military installations, marking a significant escalation. The group has targeted several military sites since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified following a deadly Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday, which killed at least 45 people, including women and children. Among those killed were 16 Hezbollah members, including senior leaders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi.
The cross-border conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has further intensified since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza. Over 41,400 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since October, following a Hamas attack that triggered the hostilities.–News Desk