Washington is strengthening its fighters in the Middle East, and Israel is distributing special phones to ministers for fear of damage to the communications network

American press reports stated that the United States is preparing to send additional fighters to the Middle East and is enhancing combat readiness to confront the expected response from Iran and the forces loyal to it to the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Ismail Haniyeh, and the military commander of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Fouad Shukr.

Axios reported on Friday that the administration of US President Joe Biden is convinced that Iran will attack Israel within days in response to the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran.

The site added that Biden and his senior aides are extremely frustrated by the current situation, and fear that it will be difficult to mobilize an international and regional coalition similar to the coalition that helped Israel repel the previous Iranian attack last April, according to the site.

The New York Times quoted American officials as saying that Washington is preparing to send additional fighter planes to the Middle East to confront current threats.

American officials added that the number of aircraft to be sent is still under study, as well as final approvals from senior officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The officials stated that it is not clear whether Israel and its allies have much time to prepare to confront a new round of major Iranian attacks.

The US Army is on alert

A military official told the newspaper - on condition that his name not be published - that US forces in the Middle East are taking “necessary measures” to enhance combat readiness and protect US forces and their allies from any threats from Iran or Iranian-backed factions.

Maariv newspaper said: “The government is taking an unusual step, fearing that communications networks will be damaged in the Iranian attack.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met his British counterpart John Healey at the ministry's headquarters in Tel Aviv today.

Gallant said during the meeting, "It is important to form an alliance to defend Israel against Iran and its allies."

The fate of the negotiations

Regarding the indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, Kirby said that he does not yet know whether the events that the region has witnessed in recent days will affect the chances of reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

But he expressed his belief that negotiations are still possible, as well as reaching a ceasefire, even after Haniyeh's killing.

Kirby denied knowledge of any move by Hamas regarding Haniyeh’s succession, and confirmed the continuation of talks with the State of Qatar. He also spoke about the possibility of closing the “remaining narrow gaps” regarding the ceasefire, pointing to ongoing talks with his counterparts, including the Israelis, to reach a ceasefire. For 6 weeks.

Hamas and Iran vowed to respond to Haniyeh's assassination, while international contacts and efforts are underway to calm the situation, fearing the expansion of the conflict in the region.

Source: Agencies + American press