Defense Department officials have confirmed the dispatch of more than 2,000 Marines and sailors to the Israeli coast on the eve of Joe Biden's visit to Israel. Even though Pentagon orders indicate that troops must be prepared for possible deployment to help the Jewish State, the objective is not for them to enter into combat, but to provide medical advice and assistance, in addition to serving as a deterrent for third party countries to intervene in the war. Against this backdrop, General Michael Kurilla, head of the Central Command, is on the ground, from where he assured that his mission is to "ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself" and "focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict."
CENTCOM Commander Arrives in Israelhttps://t.co/URHNRuPdvn pic.twitter.com/pogMewYutX
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 17, 2023
Support for Israel and deterrence to avoid escalation
According to several media outlets that report the words of Defense Department officials, Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered some 2,000 soldiers last Sunday to prepare for a possible deployment to Israel to provide medical and logistical support to the Israeli Defense Forces. At the time of the mandate, the troops were in different areas of the Middle East, including Europe. At the moment, it has not been specified under what circumstances the troops would set foot on the ground, at a time when the army is prepared for an Israeli ground operation in Gaza.
The sending of this contingent is in addition to the sending of the aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Eisenhower to the area in an attempt to dissuade other countries or groups, such as Iran or Hezbollah, from escalating the conflict by intervening in the war between Israel and Hamas. For the moment, the US strategy, in the words of Biden and Pentagon spokespersons, continues to be to provide all the support that the Jewish State needs, but without participating as an active party. In an interview last Sunday, the president said that he does not foresee American soldiers setting foot in Gaza.
A unit and equipment specialized in amphibious operations
Although there is no official confirmation, various experts suggest that the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will arrive in Israel aboard the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship. Different media reported the surprising interruption of an exercise in Kuwait without specifying its new destination, although several sources indicated that it was heading towards Israel. These soldiers are specialists in amphibious operations, crisis response, humanitarian assistance and certain special operations. The USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship, sails alongside.
The special operations capable 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit faced a change of plans in the days after war broke out between Israel and Hamas. | Click the image to read our story: https://t.co/YEsTMNo0HM
— Marine Corps Times (@Marinetimes) October 12, 2023
The head of CentCom, in Israel
In addition to these movements, the US continues to show its support for Israel and its concern that the conflict does not continue to escalate in the area with visits at the highest level. The head of CentCom is on the ground now "to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and I am particulary focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict." During his tour, the general will meet with the Israeli Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi, and the Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant .
The Commander of the U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM , General Michael Kurilla, landed this morning in Israel for an official visit as a guest of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi.
During his visit, the general is expected to meet with the Chief of Staff and…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2023
