US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed Washington's next steps in the Middle East, ranging from the country's "ironclad support" for "Israel's defense" and its efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, during a phone call with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday. 

In a post on X, Austin said: "The U.S. F-22 Raptors that arrived in the region today represent one of many efforts to deter aggression, defend Israel, and protect U.S. forces in the region."

He also reiterated the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which would allow for the return of the Israeli captives. 

I called Israeli Minister of Defense Gallant today to brief him on U.S. force posture adjustments and reinforce my ironclad support for Israel’s defense. The U.S. F-22 Raptors that arrived in the region today represent one of many efforts to deter aggression, defend Israel and…

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) August 8, 2024

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that additional F-22 Raptors have been deployed to the Middle East amid an impending retaliation by Iran and the Axis of Resistance.

On Friday, media outlets reported that the US plans to send more combat aircraft to the region to counter "threats from Iran" and Resistance groups in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, who have indicated intentions to launch retaliatory attacks on "Israel".

US, Qatar, Egypt call for meeting to reach deal

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden, Qatar's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi released a joint statement calling on "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas to finalize the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in a meeting set for next week.

The statement came almost a week after the Israeli regime assassinated Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran; the leader of the movement's negotiations team. Additionally, "Israel" targeted a residential building in Beirut, killing five civilians – three women and two children – and a top Hezbollah military leader, Sayyed Fouad Shokor.

"It is time, immediately, to put an end to the long-standing suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, as well as the hostages and their families. It is time to finalize a ceasefire agreement and release the hostages and detainees," the joint statement read.

The three leaders claimed that a framework agreement is ready and that all it needs to be finalized is to agree on implementation details.

"No more time should be wasted, and there should be no excuses by any party for further postponement," they said, adding that they are ready "if necessary" to make a final proposal to close the remaining gas related to the implementation of the deal "in a way that meets the expectations of all parties."