Dozens of U.S. troops have been deployed to Cyprus amid sharply escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and they are preparing for a range of contingencies including a possible evacuation operation from Lebanon for U.S. citizens should a full-blown war erupt, four U.S. officials told CNN.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said earlier this week that the U.S. military would be deploying “a small number of U.S. military personnel forward” to the region “out of an abundance of caution.” But he declined to say how many troops were deployed, where they were sent, and what branch they belonged to.

The UK announced on Tuesday that it was sending 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a possible emergency evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon if one becomes necessary.