There’s a lot at play here. Israel had been preparing to invade Gaza, but inclement weather, international pressure, and regional security concerns might be playing a massive part in slow walking the ground operation against Hamas, who launched a vicious terrorist attack against the Jewish state on October 7 that left over 1,200 Israelis dead. The scale of the barbarity was nearly indescribable, with reports of mass murder, rape, and kidnapping.
Hamas reportedly has 40,000 fighters waiting to ambush approaching IDF forces, hidden among a vast network of tunnels. This operation will last months, potentially years, as Israeli troops must go block-by-block, eliminating terrorists. Urban warfare is incredibly deadly, and near-constant air cover will be required. Yet, the unity government formed in the aftermath of the attack is resolute in eradicating Hamas.
The United States and Europe are likely asking Israel to hold off due to the hostage situation. Some 200 people were taken captive by these terrorist thugs. More time to obtain proof of life is probably being asked of Jerusalem. As that occurs, US forces have been moving into the eastern Mediterranean with multiple carrier groups positioned near Israel. Reports are that at least two strike groups have been ordered into the area. The new development that’s a bit more disconcerting is that anti-ballistic missile defense systems are also being deployed to Israel.
The Pentagon has ordered a second aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean near Israel to deter Iran or Hezbollah from joining the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to U.S. officials. https://t.co/418DSLT36U
— ABC News (@ABC) October 15, 2023
BREAKING: U.S. defense secretary orders additional forces to the Middle East including, “the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions.” (Note: Hamas and Hezbollah do not have ballistic missiles. Iran does.)
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) October 22, 2023
Lloyd Austin also ‘redirected’ the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to the Middle East.
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) October 22, 2023
UPDATE: Hezbollah’s missile arsenal includes ballistic missiles pic.twitter.com/OfqSwOPQqm
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) October 22, 2023
Washington is preparing for the worst regarding a response from Hezbollah and Iran, which are one and the same. The terror group has already announced an all-out war against Israel from Lebanon should they invade Gaza. Israeli forces have been bombing multiple targets in Lebanon for days. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force commander, Brigadier General Ismail Qa'ani, is reportedly in Syria now supervising the operations of the militias in the area.
The Commander of the “Quds Force” of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Ismail Qa'ani has reportedly arrived in Syria today in order to “Supervise” the Pro-Iranian Militias which are claimed to be on High Alert along the Western Syrian Border with Israel. pic.twitter.com/STYStXBw7n
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 21, 2023