Given the threat of escalating conflict in the Middle East, the US is transferring more weapons systems to the Eastern Mediterranean. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced in a statement on Saturday (local time) that he has ordered the deployment of a battery of the next-generation THAAD missile defense system, as well as units of the powerful Patriot air defense system in the region.
The US had already relocated several warships to the Eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent, including the aircraft carriers “USS Dwight D. Eisenhower” and “USS Gerald R. Ford”. Air Force squadrons have also been sent to the region.
The US absolutely wants to avoid a new escalation of the conflict in the region. After discussions with US President Joe Biden about “recent escalations by Iran and its proxies” across the Middle East region, he ordered the deployment of additional weapons systems, Austin wrote. They served as deterrence, to increase the protection of US forces in the region and to support Israel’s defense, he said. Austin did not say how many additional U.S. troops would be stationed in the region.
All developments in the live ticker:
9:10 am – At least 210 Israeli hostages are held
According to the Israeli army, the number of hostages in the Gaza Strip is at least 210. This is the number of families that have been informed so far, a military spokesman confirmed on Sunday. Germans were among those kidnapped on October 7 by terrorists on behalf of Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. Two hostages were released on Friday. Hundreds of Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7 and carried out a massacre in the border area. Israel suffered more than 1,400 deaths during and in the days that followed, most of them civilians. The identification of the bodies is still underway.
9:08 am – Alarm in the Tel Aviv area
Rocket attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip continue despite heavy Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian territory. There was another rocket alarm in the Tel Aviv area on Sunday morning, the Israeli army announced. Emergency services Magen David Adom said there have been no reports of injuries so far. According to the Israeli army, around 7,000 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the war began two weeks ago. More than 550 attacked Palestinian territory itself and caused deaths there.
08:30 am – Pentagon orders more air defense systems in the Middle East
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of additional air defense systems in the Middle East. Additionally, more troops would be placed on standby, Austin said Saturday. He gave the order to do so after extensive discussions with US President Joe Biden. He said the US would deploy a battery of the THAAD missile defense system, along with other Patriot missile defense systems, at locations across the region to increase protection for US troops.
US bases in Iraq and Syria have been repeatedly attacked by drones since an explosion at a hospital facility in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night that the Islamic militant group Hamas said killed hundreds of people. The destroyer USS Carney intercepted cruise missiles fired from Yemen into the Red Sea on Thursday.
08:02 – Two Syrian airports out of service
Syrian state media reports Israeli rocket attacks on Damascus and Aleppo international airports. A civilian airport employee was killed and another was injured at Damascus and Aleppo international airports on Sunday morning, Syrian state news agency Sana said, citing security sources. “Significant damage to the runways” led to the suspension of flight operations at both airports, it said. According to the Ministry of Transport, scheduled flights are being diverted to Latakia.
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5:41 am – Army spokesperson: “We are increasing attacks”
Israel now wants to expand military action against Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip, after two weeks of bombings. “We are increasing attacks and minimizing the danger,” Israeli media quoted army spokesman Daniel Hagari as saying. “We must enter the next phase of the war in the best conditions.” It is unclear whether this refers to the expected ground offensive.
3:32 am – US asks the UN Security Council to support Israel
The US submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on the Middle East. It states that Israel has the right to defend itself. Iran is called on to stop supplying weapons to “militias and terrorist groups that threaten peace and security in the region”. The draft text also calls for the protection of civilians – including those who tried to flee to safety.
The draft resolution also states that states must comply with international law when responding to attacks. The project also calls for the continuous, sufficient and unimpeded provision of aid to the Gaza Strip. It is not yet clear if or when the US intends to put the draft resolution to a vote.
2:54 am – Israel attacks extremist stronghold in the West Bank
Israel says it killed “terrorists” from Hamas and Islamic Jihad in an airstrike on a mosque in the West Bank. The Al-Ansa mosque in Jenin was used “by terrorists as a command center to plan attacks and as a base for their implementation,” the Israeli military said.
12:57 pm – Israel and Hezbollah report new fighting on the border with Lebanon
Israeli warplanes hit Hezbollah militia positions in Lebanon. This is reported by the Israeli military. There were also exchanges of fire with Hezbollah fighters in at least four different areas along the border on Saturday. An Israeli soldier was hit by an anti-tank missile.
Hezbollah recently announced that six of its members were killed in cross-border fighting. The Islamic extremist group Islamic Jihad, which is also present in southern Lebanon, said separately that one of its fighters had also died.
00:05 – Conference in Cairo ended without result
A conference on the Middle East called at short notice in Cairo ended without any results. Participants did not agree on a joint statement. Arab countries strongly condemned the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. King Abdullah of Jordan has called for a more balanced approach to the conflict. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Palestinians will not allow themselves to be expelled from their lands.
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At the meeting, Germany, Britain and France urged Israel to show consideration for civilians in the Gaza Strip. “The fight against Hamas must be waged with the greatest possible humanitarian consideration for the innocent men, women and children in Gaza,” said Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock.