US Troops Participate in Israel’s Ground Operation in Gaza Amidst Middle East Tensions
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, reports surfaced on Saturday that several thousand US troops have joined Israel’s ground operation in Gaza. According to the Iran-based Tasnim News Agency, the Pentagon has reinforced its military presence in the region, responding to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and rising concerns involving Iran.
Citing security sources, Tasnim revealed that Israel’s assault on Gaza involved three divisions and several brigades, bolstered by approximately 5,000 US military personnel. However, specific details regarding the troops’ roles or functions remain undisclosed.
The agency reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched their offensive, attempting to enter Gaza from various areas in the north, west, and southwest. Their objective was to divide the Gaza Strip into multiple sections, severing connections among Palestinian resistance forces before progressing further into the war. Nevertheless, Tasnim did not provide updates on the Israeli military’s achieved results.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group controlling Gaza, claimed on Saturday to have repelled the Israeli assault, boasting of inflicting substantial losses on the opposition. Meanwhile, the IDF declared that it is advancing through the stages of the war, emphasizing that no soldiers have sustained injuries during the expanded ground operations.
Following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel in early October, the US military promptly deployed additional forces to bolster its presence in the region. The Pentagon dispatched two aircraft carriers accompanied by support vessels, activated the deployment of THAAD and Patriot air defense systems, and has now directed the preparation of over 2,000 additional troops to support Israel in its conflict with Hamas. While none of these troops are intended for deployment in Israel itself, US officials clarified that their purpose is to bolster regional deterrence efforts and enhance US force protection capabilities.
Simultaneously, the US carried out airstrikes on two facilities in eastern Syria, allegedly targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups. President Joe Biden maintained that these actions were responses to recurring attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. Tehran, however, insists that the militant groups operating in those countries act independently.
As tensions continue to mount in the Middle East, the presence of US troops in Israel’s ground operation in Gaza further complicates an already volatile situation. The involvement of international actors raises concerns about the potential for further escalation and highlights the complex web of relationships and interests at play in the region.
