Marine

In order to stop the conflict between Israel and Hamas from getting any worse, the US is stepping up its military presence in the region. A US Marine rapid response force is moving to the waters off the coast of Israel, and the Pentagon is preparing American troops for a potential deployment there.

The fast response force, made up of 2,000 Marines and sailors, according to two defense sources familiar with the planning, is being dispatched. It will join an increasing number of US warships and personnel advancing on Israel in an effort to discourage Iran and the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah.

According to many defense officials, US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin ordered that some 2,000 troops get ready for possible deployment to Israel to assist with duties including medical and logistical assistance on Sunday evening (10/15).

Together, the actions, according to officials, are meant to prevent a wider regional conflict. However, they also run the risk of intensifying US engagement in a situation where the Biden administration is attempting to stay out of it militarily.

The US has made it clear that it has no plans to send troops to fight in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which Israeli officials have warned might be difficult and protracted. The decisions were made at a time when the US military has been progressively increasing its presence in the Middle East, including sending Air Force fighters and deploying a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to join the USS Ford attack carrier group there.

As part of a planned drill, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which specializes in missions like amphibious operations, crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and some special operations, has recently been stationed close to Kuwait. However, it left earlier than planned “as a result of emerging events,” Capt. Angelica White, a spokesperson for the unit, said to the Marine Corps Times on Wednesday.

Other than to announce that the Marine unit is moving toward Israel, officials will not disclose where it will go specifically. According to one official, it will travel to Israel’s southern coast, placing US Marines close to both of the nation’s coastlines according to CNN. According to officials, the squad is aboard the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship that is currently in the Gulf of Oman. Along with the USS Bataan, the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall is heading in the direction of Israel.