The Pentagon is dispatching military advisers, led by Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, to assist Israel in its war planning and is hastening the deployment of advanced air defense systems to the Middle East. Glynn, who is experienced in urban warfare, will consult on strategies to mitigate civilian casualties. The advisers will not participate in combat.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the military team aims to prevent the conflict between Israel and Hamas from escalating further. The Pentagon is also safeguarding US personnel, who have recently been targeted in attacks believed to be encouraged by Iran.
In addition to aiding Israel, the US is reinforcing its military presence in the region. The Eisenhower strike group has been repositioned to the US Central Command area, and multiple Patriot missile defense battalions and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system are being deployed. This follows an attack on a US military garrison in Syria and comes after rockets and drones targeted US locations in the Middle East multiple times last week.
US President Joe Biden has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring him of US support and ongoing efforts for regional stability.