Watan-A controversy has arisen regarding the possibility of the United States sending ground forces to fight alongside the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip.
A leaked U.S. military document revealed that the Department of Defense (Pentagon) prepared for the potential deployment of ground forces to support Israel, as disclosed by the American website “The Intercept.”
Despite President Joe Biden’s assurances of not sending ground forces, the leaked document indicates that the U.S. military has made preparations for this possibility through its forces in Iraq.
In a memorandum issued by members of the U.S. Air Force in January of this year, military orders were mentioned to remain “ready for forward deployment to support forces in the event of U.S. involvement on the ground in the war on Gaza.”
In a separate document specifically for personnel, the reserve order pertains to individuals deployed last year in Iraq.
There are approximately 2,400 U.S. soldiers in Iraq as part of an international coalition primarily focused on combating the Islamic State.
While the documents do not explicitly indicate imminent U.S. ground military intervention in the war, the January memorandum is the latest indication of the Pentagon’s preparations to support Israel.
Following the “Operation Guardian of the Walls” in October last year, reports surfaced that the U.S. military had placed two thousand soldiers under readiness orders to potentially provide support to Israel, a fact confirmed by the leaked document.
Special Operations Unit
While the U.S. Department of Defense did not comment on the memorandum regarding readiness for ground involvement in the war, the White House had previously affirmed that its support for Israel in the Gaza conflict would not include the deployment of ground forces.
However, two days after Kirby’s statement, the White House accidentally published a photo of President Joe Biden in Israel standing alongside members of the U.S. Secret Special Operations Unit before quickly deleting it.
It is worth noting that in late October last year, the New York Times reported that U.S. Special Operations forces were in Israel to assist in the rescue efforts of Israeli prisoners in Gaza.
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