Pentagon tells 2,000 troops to prepare for deployment amid Israel-Hamas war

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday issued “prepare to deploy” orders for about 2,000 personnel for possible support of Israel, Pentagon officials said. The Defense Department said select military units are in a heightened state of readiness, which improves the Pentagon’s ability to quickly respond to the security situation in the Middle East. “No decisions have been made to deploy any forces at this time,” the Defense Department said in a statement. “The Secretary will continue to assess our force posture and remain in close contact with allies and partners.”...