In response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas militants, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued "prepare to deploy" orders for approximately 2,000 personnel on Tuesday, according to Pentagon officials.
The move comes as select military units are placed in a heightened state of readiness, significantly enhancing the Pentagon's capacity to swiftly respond to evolving security dynamics in the Middle East.
However, the Defense Department emphasized that no definitive decisions regarding deployment have been made at this juncture. In a statement, the department affirmed, "The Secretary will continue to assess our force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners."
The prepare-to-deploy directive was activated in the aftermath of a devastating attack launched by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip on October 7th. Tragically, this assault resulted in the loss of over 1,400 Israeli civilians and the abduction of around 200 individuals.
Additionally, Defense Secretary Austin has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to maintain its position in the eastern Mediterranean until further notice. The carrier group was in the final stages of a six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command area before being redirected to the Middle East in order to deter any efforts to escalate the conflict, as confirmed by Defense Department officials.
Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of U.S. Central Command, is presently in Israel conducting high-level meetings with the country's military leadership. Among those he is engaging with is Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.
In a statement released by U.S. Central Command, General Kurilla affirmed, "I'm here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and am particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict."
As the situation continues to evolve, the U.S. remains committed to closely monitoring developments in the region and maintaining open lines of communication with its allies and partners. Further updates will be provided as warranted.
0 Comments