Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a limited number of U.S. troops to prepare for deployment in support of Israel, as reported by multiple sources.
Approximately 2,000 troops have been selected to be on standby for advisory and medical assistance.
The troops will be drawn from various branches of the U.S. military, including those already stationed in the Middle East and nearby Europe.
While their specific units and deployment locations have not been disclosed, it has been emphasized that they will not have a combat role.
The U.S. is extending support to Israel, which is engaged in a conflict with Hamas, primarily focusing on intelligence and planning assistance for potential hostage rescue operations.
This feels like the US deploying troops to work side by side with Israeli, to try and reign in the Israeli a bit.
Going in as a sort of peacekeeping force like NATO usually does would dare to suggest Israel it’s in the wrong, so they opt to babysit the Israeli troops as they hopefully won’t go to overboard when being watched by US troops.
That is an interesting way to look at it, but from the other lens it will be seen differently.