Hamas reported that two Israeli hostages were injured and one Israeli was killed by its militants. The spokesperson for Hamas, Abu Obaida, attributed the killing to an Israeli "massacre" of Palestinians, and noted that two Israeli female hostages were injured in a separate incident.
In response to rising tensions, the White House has issued a warning about a potential imminent attack on Israel by Iran. John Kirby, the spokesperson for national security, stated that Israel and its allies should be ready for any major Iranian attacks that could occur this week.
To address these concerns, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, to the Middle East and expedited the transit of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the region. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the submarine deployment is intended to signal a readiness to respond and protect forces while supporting Israel.
Senior fellow of the University of Southern California, Barbara Starr, explained that the submarine deployment was a calculated action meant to show that the United States was committed to protecting Israel. She underlined that the United States is sending a serious message to Iran by emphasizing that submarines are not usually employed for preemptive strikes.
