In an attempt to deescalate tensions in the Middle East, U.S. troops are set to remain stationed throughout the region as Israel's year-long war against Hamas in Gaza has expanded into a wider, cross-border conflict.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Congressional leadership, President Joe Biden updated lawmakers on his administration's approach moving forward to "protect Israel from Iranian and Iranian-aligned threats."
"In recent months, we have adjusted the United States military posture to improve United States force protection and increase support for the defense of Israel," the letter states. "... United States forces will remain postured in the region to serve important national interests, including the protection of United States persons and property from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias, and to continue to support the defense of Israel, to which our commitment remains ironclad. In this context, I directed the deployment to Israel of a ballistic missile defense system and United States service members capable of operating it to defend against any further ballistic missile attacks while this defensive posture is deemed warranted."
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President Biden's message comes just days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent a separate letter to their Israeli counterparts, warning that U.S. military aid to Israel was at risk if the country does not meet a list of demands from the Biden administration.
The letter, which was obtained by Axios, is dated Oct. 13 and cites a "deep concern" from the White House over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. It goes on to say that Israel has one month to facilitate aid shipments into the region or face potential cuts in U.S. arms shipments to Israel.
"To reverse the downward humanitarian trajectory and consistent with its assurances to us, Israel must, starting now and within 30 days, act on the following concrete measures," the letter states. "Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measure may have implications for U.S. policy under NSM-20 and relevant U.S. law."
The list of U.S. demands is lengthy, and includes that Israel must allow a minimum of 350 aid trucks into Gaza each day, end its isolation of northern Gaza, and ensure that the commercial and Jordan Armed Forces corridors function at their "full and continuous capacity."
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Secretaries Blinken and Austin close out the letter by requesting that the U.S. and Israel "establish a new channel" to "raise and discuss civilian harm incidents," with the first meeting to be held by the end of October.
The latest actions from the Biden administration come as Israel's year-long war against Hamas in Gaza has expanded into a multi-front operation to also combat Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Late last month, the Israeli military said it had launched a "limited, localized" ground operation into the country, that has since boiled over into all-out war between the two sides and risks sparking an even wider regional conflict.
