NBC News reported that the U.S. military is moving its forces near Lebanon and Israel in anticipation of evacuating its citizens in the event of escalating confrontations between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah. According to three U.S. defense officials and a former U.S. official, the Pentagon is preparing to mobilize troops in the region to be ready for evacuation operations as tensions rise between Israel and Hezbollah.
The U.S. is also negotiating with its allies in the Middle East to coordinate potential evacuation operations and any coalition military activities. It was noted that the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, capable of special operations, moved to the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday to join the USS Oak Hill and another ship in the ready amphibious group.
Officials indicated that the USS Wasp will operate in the eastern Mediterranean to be prepared for possible military-assisted evacuation operations and other missions. NBC News reported that Washington is increasingly concerned about Israel conducting airstrikes and a potential ground offensive in Lebanon in the coming weeks.
Additionally, Politico cited U.S. intelligence information suggesting that a large-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah could occur in the next few weeks if an agreement for a ceasefire is not reached between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated earlier that the United States is not yet prepared to announce plans for evacuating Americans from Lebanon or to recommend that its citizens leave the country.
