FLASH
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The US has ordered another batch of aircraft and naval warships to deploy to the Middle East as the region braces for possible attacks by Iran and its allies following the killing of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group to accelerate its deployment to the region, while at the same time announcing the deployment of a guided missile submarine, after speaking with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant.
Analysts noted that it was rare for the Pentagon to publicly announce the deployment of a submarine.
The US military had already said it would deploy additional warplanes and warships to the Middle East as Washington seeks to bolster Israeli defenses. Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Iran-backed Hamas, was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, an attack that drew threats of retaliation from Iran against Israel. Iran has blamed Israel for the killing, but Israel has not claimed responsibility.
The killing of Haniyeh and the killing of the senior military commander of the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, by Israel in an attack in Beirut have fueled concerns that the conflict in Gaza could turn into a wider war in the Middle East. .
It comes after Hamas appeared to oppose the resumption of ceasefire negotiations. On Friday, the leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar called on Israel and Hamas to resume talks to finalize a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages by August 15.
Israel said last week it would send negotiators to attend the meeting. Hamas initially said it was studying the offer, but has now hinted it may stay out of the new round of talks.
In a statement on Sunday, Hamas said mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar should present a plan to implement what was agreed last month, based on President Joe Biden's proposal, "instead of going into more rounds of negotiations or new proposals that provide cover for the aggression of the occupation".
Hamas said it has shown flexibility throughout the negotiation process, but that Israel's actions show it is not serious about pursuing a ceasefire agreement.
Thousands of people fled the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis over the weekend after the Israeli army warned of a new operation to drive out Hamas militants it says have regrouped there.
Khan Younis suffered widespread destruction during the months-long battle by Israeli forces to take the city earlier this year.
Biden presented a three-phase cease-fire proposal in a speech on May 31. Washington and regional mediators have since tried to broker a Gaza ceasefire deal for the hostages, but have run into repeated obstacles./Pamphlet
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