According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, US officials believe their forces will be targeted by militant groups once the invasion of the Hamas-ruled Palestine starts. Washington is now hurrying to deploy nearly a dozen air-defence systems to the region – a move that can happen later this week. The missiles would protect US forces in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel has also taken efforts to supply humanitarian aid inside Gaza and diplomatic efforts to free hostages held by Hamas militants into account.

Numerous countries including the US, UK and Russia have called for a halt to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Political and ideological differences however remained in focus on Wednesday with countries taking varied stances on the matter. The United States for example is seeking short pauses to allow the entry of aid while Russia advocates a wider ceasefire. 

Meanwhile British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has backed a humanitarian pause in the conflict while rejecting calls for a ceasefire. Sunak told parliament that Israel has the right to respond militarily to Hamas’ earlier attack and stressed the need to help Britons leave Gaza.

NATO ally Turkey took a somewhat different stance and cancelled plans to visit Israel because of its “inhumane” war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The Turkish leader added that he did not view Hamas as a terrorist organisation but as “liberators”, fighting for their land, drawing a swift and angry condemnation from the Israeli government.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Updated: 25 Oct 2023, 10:38 PM IST