Early Tuesday morning, the Pentagon dispatched a US Marine Corps Rapid Response Unit of 2,000 Marines and sailors to the region “to send a message of deterrence to Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah” – Responsible Statecraft.
A Wall Street Journal reported:
“…the Pentagon decision signaled it is preparing to support Israeli troops should Israel launch a ground incursion into Gaza. It is unclear how many of those troops, should they be deployed, would go into Israel. But the officials said that at least some of them could enter the country to support Israeli forces. A predeployment order doesn’t mean the troops will certainly deploy but rather shortens the time troops need to be ready to move.”
The special unit, comprising “service members with a variety of capabilities and specialties, including providing medical support and handling explosives,” was “picked” for deployment as early as Monday.
The carefully selected defence force is reportedly separated from the rapid response unit sent to the region.
