The situation intensified after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei promised ‘harsh punishment’ against Israel in response to the death of the Hamas political leader.
While Israel has not commented on the incident, Iran has blamed the country for the attack.
The announcement of Haniyeh’s death came shortly after Israel claimed that its security forces had killed Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr, also known as “Sayyid Muhsan.”
Also Read: Hamas Military Chief, who masterminded the October 7th attack on Israel, killed in an airstrike: Israeli Army.
In response to the fresh deployment, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated: “To that end, Secretary Austin (United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin) has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, increase support for the defense of Israel, and ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.”
To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, Secretary Austin has directed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Central Command area of responsibility.
Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions.
“The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the Secretary has ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East, enhancing our defensive air support capabilities.
The Middle East region became tense after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 casualties. Israel responded with an ongoing military operation in Gaza.
