Mon Sep 23 17:00:03 UTC 2024: ## US Sends Troops to Middle East as Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Escalates

**WASHINGTON (AP)** – The U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East in response to escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, raising concerns of a wider regional war. The move comes as Israeli airstrikes killed over 270 Lebanese on Monday, marking the deadliest barrage since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the troop deployment, stating it was “out of an abundance of caution” given the heightened tensions. He declined to specify the number of troops or their specific mission. The US currently has approximately 40,000 troops in the region.

The deployment follows a series of Israeli strikes on alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video message urging Lebanese civilians to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is working with allies to find a way to de-escalate the conflict. A senior State Department official said the U.S. has “concrete ideas” to restore calm along the Israel-Lebanon border, which will be presented to partners at the UN General Assembly this week.

The State Department issued a travel warning urging Americans to leave Lebanon immediately due to the escalating risk of a regional war.

The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, two Navy destroyers, and a cruiser have departed Norfolk, Virginia, on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe. The ships’ departure could allow for the U.S. to keep both the Truman and the USS Abraham Lincoln, currently in the Arabian Gulf, in the region if necessary.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in contact with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, urging a cease-fire and de-escalation. While the situation remains volatile, Ryder emphasized that the US is not yet witnessing a wider regional conflict.

The U.S. military presence in the Middle East aims to defend Israel and protect American and allied personnel and assets. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for the conflict to expand.

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