U.S. selects roughly 2,000 troops for potential deployment to support Israel

The Pentagon has selected a contingent of roughly 2,000 soldiers for a potential deployment in support of Israel ahead of possible Israeli land invasion of the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of the Hamas terrorist group.

Fighting has continued in the region since an Oct. 7 Hamas raid that saw terrorists storm out the coastal territory, seize Israeli border towns, take hostages, and inflict considerable civilian casualties. The size and scope of the raid caught the Israel Defense Forces off-guard and prompted a series of major counterstrikes on the Gaza Strip ahead of a planned ground assault.

American troops are not expected to take part in combat and will likely serve in support, advisory, and medical capacities, according to the Wall Street Journal. The contingent of 2,000 will come from troops stationed largely in the Middle East and Europe.

Details of any such deployment, such as potential locations and exact mission parameters, remain unclear and any such operations would likely serve to bolster an Israeli ground effort.

Iranian Foreign Minister Nasser Kanaani on Monday said the terrorist group was prepared to release the 199 hostages in its custody should Israel end its bombardment of Gaza, though the terror cell has issued no such statement of its own.

Iran has long supported Hamas and has attracted scrutiny over allegations it helped organization the group's raid, which Hamas denies.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.