The Washington Post reports that the United States is sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea following the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict. In addition, they will provide ammunition and other equipment to assist Israel in its recently declared war against Hamas. According to US officials, the Israeli government is expected to launch a ground invasion into the densely populated Gaza Strip within the next 24-48 hours. Israel has already carried out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, vowing retaliation for the unprecedented attack by the militant group that caught Israeli security forces off guard.
Local media reports indicate that the death toll in Israel has risen to 700, with thousands injured, while Palestinian authorities claim that at least 413 people have been killed and around 2,300 injured in the Gaza Strip. Concerns about the escalation of the regional conflict have heightened after the Lebanese group Hezbollah announced that it had attacked Israeli targets near the border as a sign of solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israel to launch a retaliatory strike.
On October 7, Hamas forces launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, declaring the beginning of Operation “Flood of Al-Aqsa.” In response, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, declared a state of emergency in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the country is in a state of war. The Israel Defense Forces’ operation against Hamas has been named “Iron Swords.” Earlier, Israeli police predicted the duration of the conflict escalation.
