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US Department of Defense issues 'be ready to deploy'

orders over weekend in response to Israel-Hamas war
President Biden said last week, 'We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its
citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack'
By Greg Wehner , Liz Friden Fox News

Published October 16, 2023 4:04pm EDT

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US troops get a 'be ready to deploy' order to Israel
FOX News senior national correspondent Rich Edison has the latest on the Middle East conflict on 'The Story.'

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin put a significant number of U.S. troops on stand-by
to "be ready to deploy," over the weekend, though officials say the U.S. role would not be
for combat.

A U.S. official confirmed with Fox News that Austin issued orders to troops that they
should be ready to be deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean within 24-hours of receiving
an order.

Specifically, top officials say troops would be sent to advise and provide medical support
to Israeli forces.

The order is less of a deterrence posture like what has been seen with the mobilization of
the USS Ford and USS Eisenhower strike groups in the Mediterranean, but instead appears
to be a more direct support role for defense of Israel if needed. ,

FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIER SUGGESTS HOSTAGE RESCUE OPERATIONS BEHIND DELAY

IN GROUND INVASION OF GAZA

Israeli tanks move near Gaza border as Israeli army deploys military vehicles around the Gaza Strip, Israel on October 12,
2023. (Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Fox News confirmed on Monday that 2,000 U.S. troops were notified to prepare to be
ready within 24 hours if needed.

The order was issued just days after a special operations Marine Corps unit participating
in exercises scheduled through Oct. 22 departed early "as a result of emerging events."
These troops are not designated for combat roles, but for advising and medical support.

Last week, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern
Mediterranean Sea to "deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war,"
according to a press release from U.S. Command Central, and on Friday, the USS Dwight D.
Eisenhower departed out of Norfolk, Virginia for a "scheduled deployment."

BRUTAL HAMAS ‘SHADOW UNIT’ LIKELY BEHIND HOSTAGE RAIDS POSES RESCUE
NIGHTMARE: EXPERT

TRIESTE, ITALY - 2023/09/18: EDITOR'S NOTE: (Image taken with a drone) American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is
seen from the air anchored in Italy in the Gulf of Trieste. The USS Gerald R. Ford is the largest warship in the world. (Andrej
Tarfila/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Sunday that the
Eisenhower strike group and its escort ships were heading toward the area so it would be
available for regional deterrent operations.

The Biden administration has continuously expressed support for Israel after the country
was attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

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"We must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel," Biden said during a speech last week. "We
stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its
citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack.

Andrea Vacchiano of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

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