Pentagon Chief along with other US officials are to press Israeli defense officials about the Mediterranean situation and to define war milestones.
In recent developments in the Middle East, the top two U.S. military leaders are making their way to Tel Aviv to offer advice to the Israeli government on transitioning from major combat operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Lloyd Austin to press Israeli defense officials to define war milestones. Reports say, “The aim is to shift towards a more limited campaign and prevent the risk of a broader regional war. This trip comes in the wake of Iranian-backed militants launching attack drones against ships in the Red Sea, escalating tensions in the region.”
One incident involved the destroyer USS Carney, part of the Ford carrier strike group, successfully engaging 14 attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The Royal Navy destroyer from Britain also downed a drone targeting commercial ships.
These incidents follow a series of attacks posing threats to both commercial and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea, which intensified after Israel responded forcefully to a strike by Hamas on October 7.
Israel is currently grappling with the aftermath of the deadliest attack ever on its homefront and has vowed to continue its offensive until Hamas is dismantled.
The United States is concerned about the potential for a broader regional conflict and is actively engaging with Israeli leaders to encourage a shift from massive bombardment to a more targeted approach.
Heading to Tel Aviv are Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, both with experience in transitioning from major combat to counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Their expertise is being brought to bear on advising the Israeli government, although the extent to which their advice will be heeded remains uncertain.
The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to persuade Israel to scale back its offensive, given the toll it has taken on Gaza’s northern region, displacing millions and resulting in the deaths of over 18,700 Palestinians.
The dense urban population and the presence of Hamas’ tunnels add complexity to Israel’s military campaign, with accusations of militants using civilians as “human shields.”
President Joe Biden has cautioned that Israel’s indiscriminate bombing is eroding international support. U.S. officials have been urging Israel for weeks to conclude major combat operations in Gaza, emphasizing that time is running out to avoid further loss of backing.
In a meeting on Thursday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to shift to more targeted operations against high-value targets.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, however, announced that major combat operations against Hamas would continue for several more months.
The implications of these events extend to the tens of thousands of U.S. service members deployed in the region. Defense Secretary Austin recently extended the deployment of the aircraft and warship to maintain a two-carrier presence in the Mediterranean Sea. This move is seen as vital to deter Iran from escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict into a regional war.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the chief negotiator and spokesman for the Houthis, declared on social media platform X that they would continue targeting Israel-linked vessels until the aggression stops, the Gaza siege is lifted, and humanitarian aid flows into the Strip.
One Comment
Leave a ReplyOne Ping
Pingback:Drone attack killed three Georgia-born Black American soldiers