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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday issued “prepare to deploy” orders for about 2,000 personnel for possible support of Israel, Pentagon officials said.
The Defense Department said select military units are in a heightened state of readiness, which improves the Pentagon’s ability to quickly respond to the security situation in the Middle East.
“No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time,” the Defense Department said in a statement. “The Secretary will continue to assess our force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners.”
The prepare-to-deploy order took effect amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants who launched a devastating attack from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Israeli civilians and the abduction of about 200 people.
Mr. Austin also ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to remain in the eastern Mediterranean until further notice. It was nearing the end of a six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command area when it was diverted to the Middle East to deter attempts to widen the conflict, Defense Department officials said.
Army Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, is in Israel to conduct high-level meetings with the country’s military leadership, including Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of Israel Defense Forces.
“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,” Gen. Kurilla said in a statement released by U.S. Central Command.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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