Pentagon to Send More U.S. Troops to Middle East as Tensions Rise

The Pentagon is sending additional U.S. troops to the Middle East as tensions continue to rise after Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah killed at least 350 people in Lebanon, Defense Department officials said on Monday.

The troops will number in the dozens, one official said, and will head to the region to help protect the thousands of Americans who are stationed there.

Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, declined to say exactly how many troops were deploying, citing operational security.