The US military has deployed unarmed drones in Gaza to assist Israeli armed forces in the search for hostages held by Hamas, according to a confirmation from the Department of Defense on Friday.
The hostage situation arose after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel early last month, resulting in the capture of approximately 200 hostages and the deaths of over a thousand Israeli civilians, igniting the ongoing war in Gaza, as per The Hill.
US Deploys Drones to Aid Israeli Hostage Rescue in Gaza
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated in a press release, "In support of hostage recovery efforts, the US is conducting unarmed UAV [uncrewed aerial vehicle] flights over Gaza, as well as providing advice and assistance to support our Israeli partner as they work on their hostage recovery efforts. These UAV flights began after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel."
While the exact number of US citizens among the hostages remains unknown, some of them have been identified as American nationals. Israeli airstrikes have resulted in more than 9,200 casualties in Gaza, including over 3,800 children, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
The Biden administration has urged the Israeli military to halt its ground invasion of Gaza to allow for a "humanitarian pause" in the conflict, facilitating assistance and evacuation of civilians. President Biden stated, "I think we need a pause. A pause means to give time to get the prisoners out."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a similar message during his visit to Israel on Saturday, although the administration has not officially backed a total cease-fire in the conflict, according to USA Today.
Senators Urge Biden to Cease Gaza Hostilities
In response, over a dozen Democratic Senators have urged President Biden to support a pause in hostilities. They argue that the failure to protect non-combatant civilians adequately may lead to an escalation of the conflict and hinder prospects for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.
The senators also highlight the challenges in delivering sufficient humanitarian aid under the current conditions in Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that there will be no pause until Hamas releases the hostages, indicating a lack of agreement on the timing and conditions for a break in the conflict.
The deployment of unarmed drones by the US military indicates a deeper level of involvement in the conflict than previously acknowledged. The drones provide surveillance capabilities, enabling forces to gather valuable intelligence, including establishing a "pattern of life at suspected hostage locations."
This information can aid in locating hideouts and planning rescue operations. The drones may also carry LiDAR sensors, which create three-dimensional imagery of the ground surface, assisting in the modeling of hostage-holding sites.
Additionally, the Pentagon continues to strengthen its forces in the Middle East. Two aircraft carrier strike groups, the USS Gerald Ford and USS Dwight Eisenhower, have been conducting joint operations in the eastern Mediterranean as a warning to adversaries such as Iran and its proxy forces not to attack Israel.
The ships carry warplanes and escort vessels capable of firing guided missiles. Furthermore, the recent deployment of an additional 300 troops skilled in defusing and disposing of explosives highlights the ongoing efforts to address security concerns in the region, The New York Times reported.
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