No plans to deploy US troops says white houseThe White House confirmed on Thursday that the United States will not deploy combat troops to Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas, respecting Israel’s preference to handle the situation independently.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was scheduled to visit Israel to discuss security matters and aid shipments. The U.S.
has provided support, including aid shipments and missile interceptors like the Iron Dome system, but there are no plans for American troops to engage in combat.The idea of using U.S. special operations forces to rescue American hostages held by Hamas was temporarily put on hold, despite the presence of special operations personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Israel. Lawmakers expressed willingness to assist Israel, including participating in raids if requested.The Pentagon has advised and consulted with the Israel Defense Forces on hostage rescue efforts, and they have deployed assets, including the USS Gerald Ford and additional military aircraft, to demonstrate support and deter potential threats from groups like Hezbollah or Iran.However, the use of long-range strikes, typically associated with launching missiles at distant targets, is not currently under consideration.
The U.S. is also offering assistance to American citizens who wish to leave the region by arranging charter flights for them.The conflict began when Hamas launched rocket attacks on Israel and sent gunmen into the country, resulting in a swift and unexpected outbreak of hostilities. The U.S. support is aimed at bolstering Israel’s security and deterring potential threats in the region.