Washington, DC, August 12:
With "escalating regional tensions" in mind, the United States is reportedly "strengthening" its presence in West Asia by dispatching a second guided missile submarine to the area.At the same time, on August 12, the UK, France, and Germany released a joint statement praising the US, Qatar, and Egypt for their persistent efforts to reach a truce and free the prisoners.
The unanimous commitment to de-escalation and regional stability is very concerning, as expressed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in response to the heightened tensions in the region.
To avoid further escalating regional tensions and sabotaging efforts to reach a truce and free hostages, they urged Iran and its supporters to desist from assaults.
If they do anything to ruin this chance for stability and peace, they will have to pay the price. "Further escalation in the Middle East will benefit no country or nation," the united statement stated.
On the same day that the Pentagon statement was released, US Department of Defense Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder phoned Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin. "Secretary Austin reiterated the United States' commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel," the statement said.
With the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group's capabilities already established, Austin has directed the rapid deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is armed with F-35C aircraft, to the area of responsibility of Central Command.
Austin has also directed the guided missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) to head to the Central Command area.
In addition to discussing Israel's operations in Gaza, Austin and Gallant reviewed "the importance of mitigating civilian harm, progress towards securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, and our efforts to deter aggression by Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned groups across the region," according to the statement.
The murder of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has prompted Iran to threaten retaliation. The execution on July 31, 2024, was reprisal for the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that murdered 1,200 Israelis and abducted 250 hostages; Iran blames Israel for the attack.
The leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, led by Joe Biden, have extended an invitation to Israel and the Hamas organization to meet in Doha or Cairo on August 15 to restart discussions regarding the Gaza Strip ceasefire. An urgent meeting should be convened in either Doha or Cairo on Thursday, August 15, "to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay," according to a joint statement dated August 8, 2024.
A "final bridging proposal" that addresses the remaining implementation concerns in a way that satisfies all parties' expectations will be presented by the three countries mediating the deal on the Gaza truce and the liberation of Israeli hostages, according to the mediators.
On August 15, Israel will send a delegation to the negotiations over a ceasefire in exchange for hostages.
Approximately thirty rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel, according to the Israeli defense forces, on Sunday night. According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency, the hamlet of Ma'aroub in southern Lebanon was struck by an Israeli strike that injured 12 people, including six children. Following this, the Hezbollah group of Lebanon claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), some 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon; some of them landed in open areas, but thankfully, no one was hurt.
