US Shortens Prepare-To-Deploy Status Of 2,000 Troops To 24 Hours As Israel's Gaza Invasion Looms

Nearly 2,000 US troops have been put on prepare-to-deploy orders for possible support to Israel, according to a US defence official. Reports say the troops are not being sent anywhere yet, nor would they necessarily go to Israel or Gaza. However, if they are deployed they would go to a nearby country to be prepared to support Israel in the war against Hamas, the official said. The troops are currently stationed both inside the Middle East and outside, including Europe, according to US officials.