US orders 2,000 troops to be ready for potential Mideast deployment

WASHINGTON

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered 2,000 troops to be ready Tuesday for a potential Middle East deployment amid conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group, Hamas.

"Today, Secretary Austin placed approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare to deploy order, which increases DoD's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment in the Middle East," Pentagon spokesman Sabrina Singh said in a statement.

"No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time," she said.

Singh said Austin will continue to assess US force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners.

Austin approved a deployment extension for the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Sixth Fleet Area of Operations, according to Singh.

"The strike group was nearing the end of its six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility," she added.

Renewed fighting began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

It said the Oct. 7 incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

More than 2,800 Palestinians, including 750 children, are estimated to have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed.