Israel announces it conducted a ground raid in Syria
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Tensions in the Middle East are now expanding into Syria.
Israel said its troops conducted a ground raid there Sunday to capture someone they accuse of working with Iran.
This comes amid pressure from the U.S. and other allies for Israel to reach ceasefire deals in Gaza and Lebanon.
“We, of course, will support Israel in their defense,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing Monday. “We believe Iran should not respond to Israel’s retaliation if they choose to do so.”
The Pentagon ordered more warplanes and Navy ships to the Middle East to maintain the U.S. presence there and deter any more conflicts from erupting. Israel has also ramped up airstrikes against Iranian-backed terror groups in Gaza and Lebanon.
“We have great concerns about the humanitarian toll,” said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Miller said the department is even more worried about the crisis in Gaza after Israel announced Monday it ended its agreement with a key U.N. agency, UNRWA.
“Right now, there is no other way to distribute aid,” Miller said.
UNRWA provides food, water, health care and education amid the Israel-Hamas war. Israel passed new laws last month to stop UNRWA from operating in Gaza.
“We opposed the passage of the law in the first place,” Miller said.
Israel accuses the agency of being a terrorist front for Hamas, but UNRWA defends its neutrality. U.S. officials still have not said what, if any, consequences Israel could face for ending the agreement.
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