Topline
The U.S. will send 300 more troops to the Middle East—but not to Israel—to provide support and “bolster U.S. force protection capabilities,” the Pentagon announced in a Tuesday press conference, marking the latest show of support from the U.S. in the war between Israel and Hamas.
U.S. Department of Defense Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder announced Tuesday that 300 more … [+] troops are going to the Middle East to provide support to U.S. forces already there. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the Department of Defense would not disclose “specific deployment locations,” but that the troops are not going to Israel.
He said they will provide “capabilities in explosive ordnance disposal, communications and other support” in the Middle East, and that they are “intended to support regional deterrence efforts.”
The announcement of more troops headed to the Middle East comes amid fears of the war expanding beyond Israel and Hamas and more directly involving the U.S. and Iran—Ryder said there have been 27 attacks against U.S. troops stationed in Syria and Iraq.
In terms of munition support the U.S. is sending to Israel, Ryder said they’re “focused on artillery ammunition, precision-guided munitions and air-defense capabilities.”
Big Number
45,000. That’s at least how many U.S. troops are already stationed in the Middle East, according to Axios.
Key Background
The U.S. has been vocal about its support for Israel since the war between it and Hamas began on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing an estimated 1,400 and taking about 230 people hostage. In the weeks since then, Israel and Hamas have been in constant battle, with the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry estimating more than 8,300 Gazans have been killed, according to the Associated Press. President Joe Biden has requested Congress approve about $14 billion in emergency aid for Israel, and the Department of Defense has sent at least two aircraft carrier strike groups and prepared at least 2,000 U.S. troops for deployment if necessary. While the war has been progressing in Israel and Gaza, U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria have been the target of missile and drone strikes that officials have accused Iranian-backed militia groups of carrying out, though they have been careful to say the airstrikes are separate from the Israel-Hamas war as concerns about escalating the conflict to include the region increase. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying “calls for a cease-fire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism,” according to the New York Times.
Tangent
As U.S. troops go abroad, some officials are warning the Hamas-Israel war could lead to danger stateside, as well. FBI Director Christopher Wray said Tuesday that the FBI has “multiple, ongoing investigations” into Hamas-affiliated people, NBC News reported. He told senators the “most immediate concern is that violent extremists—individuals or small groups—will draw inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks against Americans going about their daily lives.”
Further Reading
MORE FROM FORBESU.S. Targets Iran-Backed Groups In Syrian Airstrikes As Pentagon Calls It ‘Separate And Distinct’ From Israel-Hamas WarBy Siladitya RayAP NewsIsrael pushes deeper into Gaza and frees Hamas captive; Netanyahu rejects calls for cease-fire
