US says ready to respond if its troops become the target of the Israeli-Haams war

State Secretary Antony Blinken, and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said late Sunday that the United States expects the war between Israel and Hamas to escalate through the involvement of representatives of Iran, adding that the Biden administration is prepared to respond if American personnel or armed forces become the target of such fighting.

This is not what we want, nor what we ask. We don't want escalation”, Blinken said.

He added that the United States does not want “against our forces or personnel to have shots fired. But if that happens, then we're ready for this”.

Austin, meanwhile, said that “what we are seeing is the possibility of a major escalation of attacks on our troops and people in the region”.

He stressed that the United States is right about self-defense “and we will not hesitate to take appropriate action”.

The warning of senior American officials comes as Israel's military's harsh response to Hamas' deadly attack in southern Israeli cities on 7 October is being introduced in the third week.

Israeli fighter planes continued shelling on the Gaza Strip on Saturday and Sunday, as well as attacked two airports in Syria and a mosque on the occupied West Coast, supposedly used by militants.

Israel's army exchanged fire with Lebanon's militant group, Hezullah, on the weekend, killing six warriors of this group.

Blinken, who recently spent several days in the Middle East, spoke of “the possibility of escalation of war, even though no one wants to see fighting on a second or third front between Israel and Hamas”.

He said he expects “escalation by Iran's representatives against our forces, against our personnel”, adding that “we are taking steps to ensure that we can protect our people and respond decisively if there is a need”.

Iran is an enemy of Israel.

American President Joe Biden has repeatedly used the word “ ” to warn Israel's enemies not to exploit the current situation in the region. /rel/