US to send additional forces to Israel as both countries’ elections approach
The US military has been conducting routine troop rotations in recent weeks, and additional troops and aircraft are expected to arrive in the coming weeks as part of preparations for an escalation in the Middle East, security sources told Walla on Sunday.
Some 3,000 US troops are currently stationed across Israel. Their duties include operating air defense systems, serving as pilots and support crews, and handling logistics and headquarters operations.
The Jerusalem Post previously reported that the Trump administration decided to deploy a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with a second Marine division ahead of the US midterm elections.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt and an additional division of US Marines are currently en route to the Middle East for an extended deployment. The Roosevelt departed from San Francisco last Sunday.
A day later, the USS Makin Island amphibious ready group also departed San Diego, carrying the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The force includes about 2,200 Marines and personnel in the expeditionary unit, along with about 2,000 sailors aboard the group’s three ships.
Israel’s enemies watching Israeli, US elections
A senior Israeli defense official told Walla that Israel’s enemies are watching the elections in Israel and the US and considering whether and how to influence them through terrorist attacks. Such attacks would aim to unsettle the countries’ political systems without triggering a broader escalation.
“They understand that the Israeli response this time will be very aggressive.”
Iran is assessing whether the US is prepared to launch a military campaign against it and is conducting negotiations accordingly. Meanwhile, conditions in Iran are deteriorating on several fronts, particularly the economy. This comes as the US has succeeded in imposing conditions under which oil tankers are departing at nearly prewar levels.
Saudi Arabia, UAE ties to confront Houthis to have larger regional consequences
IDF officials say the campaign against the Houthis presents an opportunity to advance regional initiatives. Much depends on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates strengthening ties and reaching agreements to confront their shared enemy, the Houthis.
According to senior IDF officials, such cooperation could encourage investment in Lebanon to displace Iranian investment and influence exercised through Hezbollah. It could also help build an anti-Iranian coalition in preparation for another military campaign.
A senior security official told Walla that there is an understanding that anyone who does not join the campaign against the Houthis now will be left alone and “will take hits from them accordingly.”
Preparing for another confrontation with Iran
The IDF is preparing for hostilities with Iran to erupt and escalate rapidly as Tehran struggles to cope with US sanctions and mounting economic pressure.
The military’s main focus is on the operations it would need to carry out if forced to launch extensive strikes against Iran, including identifying targets that would affect the extremist regime in Tehran.
Meanwhile, the IDF continues to coordinate closely with US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, in case Iran attempts to launch surprise missile barrages against Jordan and Israel.
Amichai Stein and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.
