WASHINGTON — The United States has deployed several dozen troops to Cyprus to assist a much larger quick-reaction force already in the eastern Mediterranean in case the Biden administration orders the military to assist with an evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon.

The deployment came as Israel's blitz of airstrikes continued into its third day, marking the deadliest period for Lebanon since the 2006 war with Israel. Pentagon officials have expressed concern over the past week that the escalation could lead to an Israeli military ground incursion targeting Hezbollah strongholds in the country's south, an option which Israeli officials have been threatening for months.

"It doesn't look like anything is imminent," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Wednesday. "We certainly don't want to see any action taken that could lead to further escalation in the region."

US officials stressed on Wednesday that the State Department has not yet authorized any emergency evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon. The State Department on Tuesday urged US citizens in the country to "book any tickets available to them" in order to evacuate "while commercial options still remain available."