Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > US does not intend to send ground troops to help Israel fight Hamas

US does not intend to send ground troops to help Israel fight Hamas

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The United States has announced it does not intend to send ground troops to help Israel in its ongoing new war against the Hamas Islamic terrorist group, which rules over Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

The announcement was made during a press briefing by White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Tuesday, TOI said. Answering a press question about whether the United States might join the war against Hamas, Kirby said the Biden administration has “no intention to put US boots on the ground.” However, Kirby said: “If we need — and it’s an IF — but if we need to go back to Capitol Hill for additional funding support for Israel, we will absolutely do that.”

In any event, Kirby added: “special operations personnel” are already in Israel as part of their jobs at the US Embassy or to support training agreements between the US and Israel. “They have offered to help with hostage recovery efforts,” Kirby said.

While no American ground forces are expected to be deployed, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Sunday that, as a deterrence to anyone wanting to take advantage of Israel’s crisis situation, he was sending the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, together with four destroyers and a cruiser, to the Mediterranean Sea near Israel. The Ford announced Tuesday it had reached its destination.

In an address to the nation about the war Tuesday, US President Biden said: “The United States has also enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence. Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation. I have one word: Don’t.”