US Supports Strikes on Iranian Targets in Iraq and Syria Amid Rising Hopes for Gaza Truce, Reports Reuters

U.S. Planning Strikes in Iraq and Syria After Drone Attack

The U.S. is preparing to target "Iranian personnel and facilities" in Iraq and Syria in response to the recent drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers, according to reports. The drone, which injured over 40 others, is believed to have been produced by Iran, as assessed by U.S. officials. Sources indicate that Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have begun removing senior officers from Syria.

Following the deaths of the American soldiers during an escalating conflict in the Middle East linked to the ongoing war in Gaza, discussions of U.S. retaliation have intensified. These fatalities mark the first U.S. casualties in the region since Israel’s military actions escalated on October 7.

As violence has surged, diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza are gaining momentum. Mediators from Qatar and Egypt have presented a proposal to Hamas, suggesting an initial 40-day halt to hostilities during which the militant group would release civilians among the over 100 hostages it currently holds. Additional provisions would include the transfer of Israeli soldiers and the remains of deceased hostages.

Health officials from Gaza report that the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 27,000, with many more deaths awaiting confirmation beneath the rubble. A Palestinian official involved in the negotiations indicated that while Hamas may not reject the proposal outright, they are likely to seek assurances that fighting will not resume, a request Israel has not yet agreed to.

Despite reports of a potential ceasefire, a Qatari official clarified that no such agreement has been finalized, and Hamas is still deliberating the proposal. Celebratory gunfire in Gaza, sparked by optimism from a Qatari spokesperson’s remarks, quickly subsided following an Israeli airstrike that injured 13 individuals.

In the wake of intensified military operations, Israeli forces are focusing on capturing Khan Younis and preparing to advance towards Rafah, an area housing a large number of displaced individuals. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claims that his forces have eliminated a Hamas brigade in Khan Younis and have inflicted significant casualties on Palestinian fighters since the onset of the conflict.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials are exerting pressure on Israel to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President Joe Biden has signed an executive order aimed at responding to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank linked to the war in Gaza. The U.S. administration is also navigating the delicate task of addressing the deaths of U.S. soldiers due to suspected Iranian-backed militias without exacerbating tensions with Iran.

Recent reports indicate that the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen has attacked shipping in the Red Sea, with the U.S. and Britain conducting retaliatory strikes in response. Overnight, the U.S. military engaged in operations against drone threats in Yemen, successfully neutralizing multiple unmanned aerial vehicles and a Houthi missile targeting ships in the region.