The US will not hesitate to take military action if conflict expands in the Middle East, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced according to Al Qahera News Channel.
The US Defense Secretary explained that the US is concerned about the potential for a significant escalation of attacks on its forces and citizens across the Middle East.
“We’re concerned about potential escalation. In fact, what we’re seeing is a – is a prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops and our people throughout the region, and because of that, we’re going to do what’s necessary to make sure that our troops are in the right – in a good position, and they’re protected, and that we have the ability to respond,” he said on ABC’s “This Week”, the CNN reported.
The Gaza Strip has been subjected to Israeli land, sea and air bombardment since Hamas and other Palestinian factions launched operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7.
The “Al-Aqsa Flood” was met with the Israeli “Iron Swords” operation, as the Israeli army launched raids on Gaza Strip, which is inhabited by more than two million Palestinians who suffer from deteriorating living conditions, as a result of an ongoing Israeli siege since 2006.
The death toll from the Israeli bombing amounted to about 4,475 dead and more than 14,000 wounded in the Gaza Strip.
On the Israeli side, more than 1,400 people were killed, including 306 officers and soldiers, while Hamas captured more than 200 Israelis.
