Federal officials have issued a warning regarding the potential infiltration of individuals associated with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Hezbollah through the southern border.
Due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the San Diego Field Office Intelligence Division of Customs and Frontier Protection (CBP) issued a memo warning that terrorist-affiliated individuals may attempt to cross the southern frontier to travel to or from the Middle East, as per to Daily Caller.
US Confronts Rising Tensions in the Middle East
Hamas, PIJ, and Hezbollah, all terrorist organizations designated by the United States, have launched attacks against Israel in a conflict that began on October 7 with a surprise attack on hundreds of civilians.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin concurring with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, voiced concern over the prospect of a significant increase in attacks against our forces and civilians throughout the region. He stated that the United States has the right to self-defense and emphasized that, when necessary, the country will act swiftly and decisively.
As Israel's military response to a fatal attack by Hamas on civilians in southern Israel entered its third week on October 7, senior US officials issued a warning. Israeli warplanes immediately and throughout Sunday conducted airstrikes against Gaza, two airports in Syria, and a mosque in the occupied West Bank.
According to reports, these actions were taken against locations believed to be utilized by militants, escalating the ongoing conflict and raising concerns about its potential impact on the Middle East. Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel and the Hezbollah militant organization in Lebanon have engaged in frequent exchanges of fire.
In addition, tensions are rising in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces have confronted militants in refugee camps and launched two airstrikes in the past few days. The United States announced on Sunday that it has instructed non-essential personnel at its embassy in Iraq to depart.
Blinken recently spent several days in the region and expressed concern about the possibility of an escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the government of Gaza. He emphasized that nobody wants to see the emergence of additional fronts in this conflict.
The secretary anticipated increased attacks on US forces and personnel by Iranian proxies. He stated that we are actively instituting measures to assure the practical defense of our people and the capacity to respond decisively when necessary. Israel considers Iran to be a geopolitical adversary.
During his appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Blinken mentioned deploying additional military resources to the region. Two aircraft carrier battle groups are included. He emphasized that this deployment is not intended to provoke but deter any prospective actions, according to ABC News.
Biden Warns Israel's Adversaries as Aid Reaches Gaza
The purpose is to make it plain that if anyone attempts to take action, the military will be present to respond. President Joe Biden has consistently sent a clear message to Israel's adversaries, advising them not to exploit the current situation with a single word: "Don't."
The following day, trucks transporting food, water, and other essential supplies for the Palestinians in Gaza could access the enclave. This was made feasible by reducing critical crossings at the frontier with Egypt, which made it possible for humanitarian aid to begin flowing.
Cindy McCain, executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, characterized the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic." She emphasized the importance of allowing additional aid.
She stated that her organization effectively served 200,000 people dinner on Saturday but that this achievement needs to meet their objective. This is a negligible quantity. To provide sustenance to the residents in that region, we need secure and long-lasting access.
There were 400 aid vehicles entering Gaza on a daily basis prior to the recent conflict.
"This is a catastrophic event unfolding, and it is imperative that we promptly bring in these trucks," she told reporters. The White House, Biden received a briefing from his national security staff regarding recent events at his residence on the Delaware coast.
Biden also addressed the situation in separate conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pope Francis. President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu had a vital conversation about the urgent need to prevent further regional escalation.
The discussion centered on the shared objective of establishing an enduring settlement in the Middle East. Israel has proclaimed its intention to conduct a ground invasion of Gaza to dismantle Hamas. Biden also organized a conference call with the heads of state of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom to discuss the conflict.
The White House announced that the leaders discussed various topics, including their commitment to work closely together to prevent the conflict from escalating and actively pursue a political resolution. The State Department ordered nonessential US diplomats and their families stationed at the US Embassy in Iraq and the US consulate in Irbil to leave due to heightened tensions.
The department issued an amended message to Americans in Iraq stating that routine operations could not be conducted due to the security situation, South China Morning Post reported.
