The US Secretary of Defense says there is no evidence that Hamas is planning an attack on US troops

HONOLULU (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday he saw no indication that Hamas is planning an attack on U.S. troops in Gaza, but added that adequate measures were being taken for the safety of military personnel.

“I don’t discuss intelligence information on stage. But I see no indication at this time that there is an active intent to do so,” Austin said at a news conference.

“That being said… this is a combat zone and any number of things can happen, and some things will happen.”

A maritime pier built by the US military to speed the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza should be open within days despite bad weather hampering preparations, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. Thursday.

The United States has called on both Israel and Hamas to ensure that aid to civilians in Gaza is not disrupted after a shipment from Jordan was attacked by Israeli settlers and then diverted by Palestinian militants.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Michael Perry)