The United States stated Monday that it is sending a “small number” of additional forces to the Middle East, as Israel sharply intensified bombings in Lebanon, sparking massive Hezbollah retaliation. The United States has approximately 40,000 troops stationed in the region, and Pentagon spokeswoman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder did not say how many new forces would be deployed. “In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region,” Ryder told reporters, according to several media reports. “I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics.” Israeli jets blasted Lebanon on Monday, striking across the south and into the north in what Israel claims are strikes aimed at Hezbollah positions.

According to Lebanese police, the strikes killed at least 356 people, including 21 children, and injured 1,246 others. Thousands of people were forced to leave. “The Israeli aggression is a scheme aimed at destroying Lebanese villages, towns, and eradicating all green spaces,” Lebanon’s temporary Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the army may strike multiple Lebanese communities up to 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the border. Hezbollah alleged separately that its fighters fired hundreds of missiles against Israel’s Rafael Electronics Company, located north of Haifa, as well as the Northern Corps’ reserve headquarters and the Galilee Formation’s supply facility in the Ami’ad camp. This is the second time Hezbollah has Struck military stations in Haifa had earlier fired missiles against the city on Sunday.

Tensions have risen between Hezbollah and Israel following a fatal airstrike on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including women and children, and injured others in a Beirut neighbourhood. Hezbollah confirmed that the Israeli airstrike killed at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi. Hezbollah and Israel have been involved in cross-border conflict since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed over 41,400 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas in October.