Austin raises concerns over escalating tensions after Beirut airstrike
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The Pentagon announced that the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its carrier strike group are scheduled to depart from Naval Station Norfolk on Monday for deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pauses during a meeting with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur at the Pentagon, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Pentagon announced on Friday that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a discussion with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, during which he expressed concerns about the escalating tensions between "Israel" and Hezbollah.
"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today and reiterated his concern over the current escalation of exchanges between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah," the statement read.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions following an Israeli air aggression on a building in the Southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. The aggression resulted in the complete destruction of a ten-story building, with 12 confirmed dead so far, including women and children.
Shortly after the aggression, the Lebanese Resistance issued a statement announcing the targeting of the Israeli headquarters of the aerial control unit and the aerial operations division at the Meron base in northern occupied Palestine, both of which were responsible for today's aggression.
Israeli news sources later reported that bomb shelters were opened in several areas in central occupied Palestine.
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In a separate statement on Friday, the Pentagon announced that the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its carrier strike group, consisting of over 6,500 sailors, are scheduled to depart from Naval Station Norfolk on Monday for deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The strike group includes the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, the USS Stout (DDG 55) and the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).
This deployment marks the fifth American aircraft carrier to be deployed in the region since October 2023.
