U.S. expects Israel-Hamas conflict to escalate across region

The U.S. has warned it expects the conflict between Israel and Hamas to escalate across the region as Washington announced it was bolstering its military support for U.S. personnel in the region.

Speaking on Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was concerned about “recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces.”

Austin said: “We’re concerned about potential escalation. In fact, what we’re seeing is the prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops and our people throughout the region.”

His comments came amid U.S. claims that Iranian proxies have attacked U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria.

The U.S. announced on Sunday that all non-essential staff at its embassy in Iraq should leave the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken added: “”We don’t want to see our forces or our personnel come under fire. But if that happens, we’re ready for it.”

Austin said Washington planned to send air defense systems to the region including its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and extra Patriot air defense missile battalions.