2000 US Military Personnel Readied, No Decision Made On Deployment

Wires carrying comments from the US Department of Defense confirming that 2000 US military personnel have been placed on a, "heightened state of readiness, but no decisions have been made to deploy forces at this time."

• The Pentagon confirms that deployment of the carrier group, USS Gerald R Ford, now stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean, has been extended.
• The Pentagon confirmation follows a report from the Wall Street Journal yesterday stating that the non-combat troops could be deployed to advise the Israeli military or provide operation support.
• Comes as President Biden prepares to depart this evening for Israel to show solidarity and establish a diplomatic presence to prevent an expansion of the conflict.
• Biden's trip to Israel will be his second to an active war zone this year - following his visit to Ukraine in February. This trip entails significantly more risk as it has been announced in advance and comes as Israel prepares for a ground assault on Gaza and faces the threat of a second front with Lebanese Hezbollah.
• White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters yesterday that the US is “not dictating terms” to the Israelis, when asked if the White House has requested Israel delays a ground invasion of Gaza while Biden in is the country.