Israel Delays Gaza Invasion to Allow U.S. Missile Defenses Deployment
Israel has agreed to delay its planned invasion of Gaza at the request of the United States, in order to allow the U.S. to deploy air defense systems to protect its troops in the region. The Pentagon is rushing to deploy these systems to multiple countries in the Middle East, and Israeli officials have agreed to hold off on the invasion until the defenses are in place. Israel is also considering the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza and diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.