ALBAWABA - Amid rising alarms of an Iranian counterattack, US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of fighter jets and navy warships to the Middle East in preparation for a retaliatory attack.
Secretary Austin ordered the Abraham Lincoln strike group to accelerate its deployment of forces in the Middle East in addition to the deployment of a guided missile submarine, as the world anticipates the Iranian retaliation plan against the killing of Hezbollah's Fuad Shukr in Beirut in addition to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader, was killed in a precise strike on his place of residence in the Iranian capital Tehran, prompting Iranian threats of retaliating against the assassination.
The assassination of Haniyeh and the killing of Hezbollah's Shukr in Beirut raised concerns about the Israeli war on Gaza turning into a full-scale regional war between Iran, Hamas, and their allies on the one hand and Israel, the US and their allies on the other.
Hamas noted in a statement on Sunday that mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar should provide a plan to execute what was agreed on last month, based on President Joe Biden's proposal, "instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or new proposals that provide cover for the occupation's aggression".
Hamas stated that it has been flexible throughout the talks process, but Israeli actions prove that it is not serious about pursuing a ceasefire accord.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 39790+ people, with more than 92002+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
