Riley Gasdia/US Navy/AP
File photo released by the U.S. Navy showing the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, front, and the landing ship USS Carter Hall in the Red Sea in August 2023.
CNN –
A U.S. Navy rapid reaction force is heading to waters off the coast of Israel and the Pentagon is preparing American troops for a possible deployment to the country, escalating a U.S. show of force in the region as it works to contain the To prevent conflict between Israel and prevent Hamas from expanding further.
Two defense officials familiar with the planning said the rapid reaction force, consisting of 2,000 Marines and sailors, would be deployed. It will join a growing number of American warships and forces closing in on Israel as the US seeks to send a message of deterrence to Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
On Sunday evening, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered about 2,000 troops to prepare for a possible deployment to Israel to help with tasks such as medical and logistical support, several defense officials said.
Overall, the moves are aimed at preventing a larger regional war, officials said. But they also risk increasing US involvement in a conflict in which the Biden administration is trying to avoid direct military action.
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Officials have stressed that the U.S. has no plans to deploy American troops on the ground to fight in the war between Israel and Hamas, which Israeli officials say could be long and difficult.
But the planning and movements offer a glimpse into the type of assistance the U.S. could provide, including managing logistics away from the front lines and providing medical support. This could be particularly valuable if Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza that could be complicated and bloody, experts warn.
The decisions also come at a time when the U.S. military is steadily increasing its presence in the Middle East, including by deploying a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean to join the USS Ford attack carrier group there and by deploying fighter jets from the United States Air force in the region.
Officials said the Pentagon was deliberately cautious in discussing a possible deployment of U.S. troops to Israel because the Biden administration did not want to give the impression that American troops could become embroiled in a hot war.
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But preparations are underway for a number of contingencies should things develop further.
The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which specializes in tasks such as amphibious operations, crisis response, humanitarian assistance and certain special operations operations, has been stationed near Kuwait in recent weeks as part of an exercise planned there. However, she left early “due to unfolding events,” Capt. Angelica White, a spokeswoman for the unit, told Marine Corps Times on Wednesday.
CNN previously reported that the unit was preparing for a possible push toward Israel.
Officials would not say exactly where the Marine unit will go now, other than to say it is headed toward Israel. An official said it would head for Israel’s southern coast, which would bring U.S. forces close to the country’s two coastlines. The unit is aboard the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship currently in the Gulf of Oman, officials said. The USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship operating with the USS Bataan, is also heading toward Israel.
The USS Bataan and the 26th MEU have been deployed in the Middle East since August to deter Iranian aggression in critical waterways around the region, including the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
Austin’s order to prepare troops for possible deployment, meanwhile, does not mean they will definitely be deployed or that they will serve in a combat role if they go to Israel, officials said. But the minister’s decision has shortened the time the identified troops need to prepare for deployment if they are ordered to withdraw, officials said.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report the possible deployment of troops to Israel. Asked about the possible move, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday: “I have nothing more to say at this time. I may be able to give you more details later, but at the moment I simply don’t have anything more specific to add.”
Should the decision be made to send the troops to Israel in support, retired Maj. Gen. James “Spider” Marks, a military analyst for CNN, said it would likely include several elements to best support the Israeli forces. Part of the deployment would likely be a command and control material management element to help supply food, fuel, construction materials and more. It would also likely require a joint ammunition unit to help with the flow of ammunition, as well as a Defense Logistics Agency liaison capacity that can help the Israeli military with weapons purchases and other key steps.
This story has been updated with additional details.