The US has prepared for what could be significant attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East as soon as this week, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday as President Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Britain issued a joint statement on Monday urging Iran to "stand down" its threats of an attack on Israel.
"We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place," the leaders said after speaking together by phone.
Moreover, the armed wing of Hamas said on Monday its soldiers had shot and killed an Israeli hostage and wounded two others, both women, "in two separate incidents" in Gaza.
Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement: "In two separate incidents, two (Hamas) soldiers assigned to guard enemy prisoners fired at a Zionist prisoner, killing him immediately, and also injured two female prisoners critically".
The statement, posted on Telegram, did not identify the hostages or say when or where the incidents occurred.
Abu Obeida said Hamas had formed a committee to investigate the shootings.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, in a televised briefing earlier on Monday, said: "We do not forget for a moment the hostages being cruelly held by Hamas in Gaza".
"We are deeply concerned about their physical and mental condition, given the prolonged time that has passed and the harsh conditions of their captivity."
Kirby said the US had increased its regional force posture and shared Israel's concerns about a possible Iranian-backed attack after Iran and Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran last month.
"We share the same concerns and expectations that our Israeli counterparts have with respect to potential timing here. Could be this week," Kirby told reporters.
"We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks," he said. Israel has been braced for a major attack since last month.
"We obviously don't want to see Israel have to defend itself against another onslaught, like they did in April. But, if that's what comes at them, we will continue to help them defend themselves," Kirby said.
The Pentagon said on Sunday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and for the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to accelerate its deployment to the region.
The threat of an Iranian attack comes as Israeli forces pressed on with operations near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Monday.
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