According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, a small selection of U.S. troops —approximately 2,000 —have been told to prepare for potential deployment to assist Israel in its war against Hamas.
From WSJ:
The troops are tasked with missions like advising and medical support, the officials said, and they are from across the U.S. armed services. They aren’t intended to serve in a combat role, the officials said. No infantry have been put on prepare-to-deploy order.
The troops are currently stationed both inside the Middle East and outside, including Europe, the officials said. It isn’t clear under what circumstances the U.S. could deploy the troops or to where, but the Pentagon decision signaled it is preparing to support Israeli troops should Israel launch a ground incursion into Gaza.
This story is developing…
NEW from me: The U.S. military has placed roughly 2,000 troops on prepare to deploy orders to potentially support Israel, U.S. defense officials said. https://t.co/E0rGn0VlOF
— Nancy Youssef, نانسي يوسف (@nancyayoussef) October 16, 2023
