US Prepares 2,000 Troops to Support Israel Under Defense Secretary's Orders

WSJ, Fox News Sources Report
Advisory and Medical Personnel Mainly Deployed, Not Combat Forces

As the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas reaches a critical phase, the U.S. Department of Defense is reportedly preparing a force of 2,000 troops to support Israel, multiple Department of Defense officials told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and Fox News on the 16th (local time).

On the 13th, Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, met with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (right in the photo). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

According to reports, these troops have been drawn from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force currently stationed in the Middle East or Europe, and include advisory and medical support personnel rather than combat troops. The Department of Defense officials stated that no troops have been ordered to the front lines at this time.

WSJ explained, "It is unclear under what circumstances or where the U.S. would deploy military forces," but added, "the Department of Defense's decision means it is preparing to support the Israeli military if Israel launches a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip." Fox News reported that these troops could be ready for deployment within 24 hours to the eastern Mediterranean if needed.

The troops prepared by the U.S. Department of Defense have not yet been deployed to the front lines, but are ready to be dispatched immediately upon orders if necessary. Fox News cited a source saying that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered over the past weekend to prepare some selected U.S. troops for deployment to bolster Israel's additional defense.

Since Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on the 7th, U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly expressed his commitment to continue supporting Israel.

However, in an interview with CBS the previous day, President Biden drew a line regarding the possibility of U.S. troop deployment to Israel, stating, "I don't think it will be necessary." He emphasized, "Israel has a powerful military force, and I guarantee that we will support them with everything they need."

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