U.S. sends more troops to Middle East as tensions rise

The U.S. is planning to send more troops to the Middle East to help evacuate Americans if fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon gets worse, according to defense officials. This move will add to the roughly 40,000 U.S. troops already in the region, which has seen rising tensions due to the war between Israel and Hamas. The new troops are being sent in case the conflict spreads and Americans need to leave.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that more forces are on the way but didn’t give details for security reasons. U.S. officials are increasingly worried because Israel isn’t sharing its plans about what it intends to do with Hezbollah, making it harder for the U.S. to anticipate how the conflict might unfold.

On Monday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed nearly 500 people and injured over 1,600, marking a significant escalation in violence. There’s growing concern in the Biden administration that the U.S. is losing its ability to prevent the conflict from getting bigger, and hopes for a cease-fire or a deal to release hostages in Gaza are fading.

Although Israel has moved some troops and equipment to its northern border with Lebanon, there’s no sign of an immediate ground invasion, but experts believe that such an offensive would require thousands more troops. The U.S. is also considering sending more military assets to the region, potentially rerouting an aircraft carrier to bolster its presence.

Despite the escalating tensions, the U.S. continues to support Israel with military aid, even as efforts for a cease-fire or hostage deal have stalled.

Source: NCB News