US Readies Troops For Possible Deployment To Israel

The New York Times reports:

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered about 2,000 more U.S. troops to prepare to deploy to the Middle East in support of Israel, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, as Israeli forces prepare to launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

The troops are currently stationed in the United States and other locations, including Europe, a Pentagon official said. If deployed, they would likely not serve in combat roles but would provide advice and medical support to Israeli forces, the official added.

The Pentagon said in a statement that while a decision on whether to deploy the forces had not been made, Mr. Austin’s order to increase their readiness helps the Pentagon’s “ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East.”

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