Austin Deploys Submarine, Orders Carrier to Middle East

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and expedited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group's arrival in the region, Pentagon officials confirmed on Sunday. These movements come amid efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and a senior Hezbollah commander. Concerns are growing over potential retaliatory strikes by Iran and Hezbollah.

Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that Austin reaffirmed the US commitment "to take every possible step to defend Israel" in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Austin's move includes strengthening US military forces in the Middle East to address increasing regional tensions, with the Lincoln, currently in the Asia Pacific, expected to arrive by month's end to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Discussions between Austin and Gallant also covered Israel's operations in Gaza, emphasizing the need to mitigate civilian harm. An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school-turned-shelter killed at least 80 people and injured nearly 50 others on Saturday, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the ongoing 10-month Israel-Hamas conflict. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)