The Pentagon announced on Monday that the U.S. will be deploying a limited number of additional troops to the Middle East due to a significant increase in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which raises concerns about a potential broader conflict in the region.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, did not disclose the exact number of troops being sent or their specific missions. Currently, there are approximately 40,000 U.S. military personnel stationed in the area.

On the same day, the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, along with two Navy destroyers and a cruiser, departed from Norfolk, Virginia, for a scheduled deployment to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe. This move allows for the possibility of maintaining both the Truman and the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently in the Arabian Gulf, in the region should violence escalate further.

“In response to rising tensions in the Middle East and as a precautionary measure, we are deploying a limited number of additional U.S. military personnel to support our existing forces in the area,” Ryder stated. “However, for operational security reasons, I won’t be able to share specific details.”

The new troop deployments follow substantial strikes by Israeli forces on targets in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties, as Israel prepares for further military actions.

In a videotaped message on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate their homes in anticipation of an expanded air campaign. This came as Israeli warplanes targeted suspected Hezbollah positions in southern and eastern Lebanon.

A senior State Department official stated that the U.S. has “concrete ideas” for restoring peace along the Israel-Lebanon border, which will be shared with allies and partners during this week’s annual U.N. General Assembly meeting of world leaders.

The official, who spoke anonymously to discuss confidential diplomatic efforts, indicated that the U.S. and several other nations are keen to offer an “off-ramp” for both Israel and Hezbollah to ease tensions and avert a full-scale war.

He refrained from elaborating on the “concrete ideas,” noting they have not yet been shared with allies for what he called a “stress test” to assess their potential effectiveness.

In light of the escalating conflict, the State Department is advising Americans to leave Lebanon. “Given the unpredictable nature of the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, along with recent explosions across Lebanon, including in Beirut, the U.S. Embassy strongly urges citizens to exit Lebanon while commercial travel options are still available,” the State Department warned on Saturday.

Ryder did not clarify whether the additional troops would assist in the evacuation of American citizens if necessary.

U.S. officials expect a decision soon—potentially this week—regarding whether the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier will remain in the Middle East or proceed to the Asia-Pacific region.

Having two carrier strike groups in the Middle East simultaneously has been uncommon in recent years. However, due to the recent surge in violence involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah—both backed by Iran—the Biden administration has directed the Navy to deploy these carriers and their accompanying ships together for several weeks on a few occasions.

The USS Truman aircraft carrier is expected to take about two weeks to traverse the Atlantic Ocean and enter the Mediterranean Sea. Officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, provided details about troop movements.

Additionally, there is already a Marine amphibious ready group in the eastern Mediterranean, featuring the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is prepared to assist with evacuations if necessary.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in consecutive phone calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend, urging for a cease-fire and efforts to reduce regional tensions, according to Ryder.

“Given the tensions and escalation, as I mentioned, there is potential for a wider regional conflict. While we are not there yet, the situation remains precarious,” Ryder stated.

The U.S. military presence in the Middle East aims to defend Israel while also safeguarding American and allied personnel and assets. Navy warships are positioned throughout the region, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Oman, and both Air Force and Navy fighter jets are strategically stationed at various locations to ensure a swift response to any potential attacks.