U.S. defense officials selected about 2,000 troops to prepare for possible deployment to support Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The designated troops, from across the U.S. armed services, will focus on such things as advising and medical support, the Journal reported Monday. The troops currently are stationed in the Middle East and elsewhere, including Europe.
The troops are not intended to serve in a combat role, and none have been put on prepare-to-deploy order, the officials said.
It wasn't clear under what circumstances the U.S. could deploy the troops or to where, the Journal reported.
During an interview with Sunday's "60 Minutes" on CBS, President Joe Biden was asked if he could foresee U.S. troops in combat in the Israel-Hamas war.
"I don't think that's necessary," he said. "Israel has one of the finest fighting forces in the country. I guarantee we're going to provide them everything they need."
The Defense Department on Sunday said Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant regarding Israel's operations to respond to Hamas' terrorist attack.
"The Secretary reemphasized the ironclad U.S. commitment to Israel's defense, as well as his commitment to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war," according to a department readout.
Within hours of the attack by Hamas, the U.S. began moving warships and aircraft to the region to assist Israel.
The Pentagon last week redirected the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to sail toward Israel. The carrier had just completed an exercise with the Italian Navy.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group also was on its way to the Mediterranean.
The Pentagon has ordered additional warplanes to bolster existing squadrons of A-10, F-15 and F-16 squadrons at bases throughout the Middle East and is ready to add more if needed.
Israeli Defense Forces soon are expected to begin a ground attack in Gaza to eradicate Hamas terrorists from the area.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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