After the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, tensions between Iran and Israel are escalating in the Middle East.

In response, the United States has deployed F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the region.

A statement from CENTCOM noted that “F-22 Raptors from the U.S. Air Force arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on August 8 as part of changes in U.S. force posture in the region aimed at reducing the likelihood of escalation by Iran or its proxies.”

Meanwhile, it has been reported that at least 8 civilians have been killed and many others injured in airstrikes conducted by the Israeli military in the central and northern regions of the Gaza Strip.

According to a report from the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the southern Gaza Strip cities of Khan Younis and Rafah have also been subjected to intense Israeli attacks.

The report added that there have been casualties in the attacks on Khan Younis and Rafah.