The U.S. government has authorized the deployment of military personnel along with a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-missile system to Israel amid heightened tensions and fears of potential retaliation against Iran. This decision comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United Nations to withdraw its peacekeeping forces from southern Lebanon following recent incidents where Israeli forces injured at least five U.N. peacekeepers, sparking widespread international condemnation.

In a recent discussion with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. This call for diplomacy coincides with Israel’s conversations with U.S. officials regarding its intentions to carry out strikes against Iran.

Overnight, the Israeli military intensified its operations in southern Lebanon, launching attacks that resulted in the destruction of a market in Nabatiyeh and a mosque located along the border. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported targeting numerous Hezbollah installations, including missile launchers and ammunition depots, claiming to have struck “dozens” of such sites.

In Gaza, the situation has become increasingly dire as the Israeli military’s offensive enters its ninth consecutive day. Reports from Gaza’s civil defense indicate that more than 200 individuals have lost their lives as a result of the conflict. Humanitarian organizations are sounding alarms over rising hunger levels in the region, as aid convoys face significant obstacles in their attempts to reach northern areas. The Jabaliya refugee camp and Kamal Adwan hospital are currently under siege, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.