The United States has prepared to deploy additional troops and aircraft to Israel over the coming weeks, Israeli media reported, as Washington and Tel Aviv brace for a potential military escalation across the Middle East as per media reports.
According to Israeli news outlet Walla, citing security sources, roughly 3,000 US personnel are currently stationed across Israel.
Their roles include operating air defence missile batteries, conducting flight operations, providing logistical support, and serving as direct liaisons at military headquarters.
Whilst routine unit rotations have occurred in recent weeks, defence officials confirmed that fresh personnel and combat aircraft will arrive shortly to reinforce existing capabilities.
A senior Israeli security official told Walla that regional adversaries are closely monitoring elections in Israel and the US, evaluating ways to destabilise the regional balance without triggering outright conflict.
"They understand that the Israeli response this time will be extremely aggressive," the official warned.
CENTCOM coordination
Operational planning between the Israel Defence Forces and US Central Command (CENTCOM) remains focused on potential retaliatory strikes and targets inside Iran in the event of renewed ballistic missile launches.
The military build-up follows diplomatic overtures by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who reiterated to envoys in Tehran that Iran remains open to diplomatic settlements.
In late September, Tehran relayed seven conditions via Qatari mediation for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which US President Donald Trump rejected.
Concurrently, Israeli security officials assess that ongoing fighting against Yemen's Houthi movement could reshape Gulf security partnerships, citing increased cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
A senior official warned that regional actors failing to confront Houthi forces immediately risk facing subsequent attacks alone.
Hostilities in Yemen have flared following Houthi advances across Al Hudaydah and Taiz provinces, including the capture of Mokha and strategic positions on Mayun Island overseeing the Bab al Mandeb Strait, further straining the conflict.
