Top US diplomatic and defence officials expressed concerns on Sunday about the possibility of further attacks on American troops in the Middle East and the potential escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict to the broader region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the United States was committed to preventing the conflict from spreading.
In an interview with NBC News, Blinken pointed out that actions taken by Iran and its proxies could trigger an escalation, and the United States hoped for the release of more hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. This group initiated an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,400 lives.
In retaliation, Israel launched lethal airstrikes on Gaza, a 25-mile-long enclave with a population of 2.3 million that has been under the rule of Hamas since 2006. According to Palestinian authorities, Israel's airstrikes have claimed the lives of over 4,700 people.
Secretary Austin stated on ABC's "This Week" program that there was a growing concern regarding the potential for escalation. He highlighted the possibility of a significant increase in attacks targeting US troops and personnel across the region.
Austin also issued a strong message, stating that any group or nation contemplating an expansion of this conflict and exploiting this unfortunate situation should refrain from doing so, as it was not advisable.
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