"Israel" intensifies Gaza strikes, Pentagon deploys THAAD systems
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin confirms that the US will deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile defense system alongside additional Patriot battalions to "Israel".
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and IOF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi meet in Tel Aviv on October 13, 2023. (MoD)
The Israeli occupation army has intensified strikes on Gaza ahead of a planned ground invasion after the first 20 trucks carrying aid to Gaza on Saturday were described as a "drop in the ocean" for the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation that has left more than 40% of all housing damaged or destroyed, according to the UN's citing of local authorities.
However, none of the trucks contained fuel for the Strip. Energy supplies in Gaza are meager, which threatens to put vital machines in hospitals out of service, risking even more civilian lives.
According to the IOF spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, bombardment will increase to reduce the risks when a ground invasion begins. "From today, we are increasing the strikes and minimizing the danger," he said.
"We will increase the attacks, and therefore I called on Gaza City residents to continue moving south for their safety."
The increased bombardment has left more than 50 Palestinians martyred just tonight as a result of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine, which comes right after Israeli aircraft bombed a house west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, resulting in the martyrdom of 12 individuals from a single family so far, including three children, the night before.
Read next: Netanyahu burned documents after Hamas operation: Israeli media
The Israeli occupation continues its brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip for about two weeks, targeting homes, residential towers, and the vicinity of hospitals.
Pentagon deploys THAAD to "Israel"
On that note, US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin confirmed on Sunday that the US would deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile defense system alongside additional Patriot battalions to "Israel".
In his statement, he said: "Following detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region … I have also activated the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for US forces".
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will also be transferred to the Central Command area of responsibility to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, currently in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, per the statement.
Austin ordered additional troops for standby "to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required."
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group aircraft carrier is making its way into the Mediterranean to support the Israeli aggression on #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/o7dvP61neW
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 10, 2023
As of this moment, 45 cargo planes transporting weapons from the US to "Israel" have been confirmed to have been received by the Israeli occupation forces, according to information released by the Israeli Security Ministry.
Among the military aid sent were "around 1,000 tons of armaments," military vehicles and supplies, medical equipment, and military ambulances, according to a post on X.
Read more: Vulnerabilities of sprawling US presence in ME are 'glaringly obvious'
