Israeli soldiers drive in a tank by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, Oct. 10. Israel has agreed to delay the invasion of Gaza for now, so the U.S. can rush missile defenses to the region, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. (Ronen Zvulun, Reuters)Estimated read time: 1-2 minutesJERUSALEM — Israel has agreed to delay an expected invasion of Gaza for now so that the United States can rush missile defenses to the region to protect U.S. troops there, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. and Israeli officials. U.S. officials have so far persuaded Israel to hold off until U.S. air-defense systems can be placed in the region, as early as later this week, the Wall Street Journal said. Last week Reuters reported the Pentagon planned to send two Iron Dome missile defense systems to Israel to help it defend itself against inbound missiles, and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions to the Middle East.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 26, 2023 12:09 UTC