Pentagon Sends US Military Personnel to Middle East and Refers Questions to Israel

"But in terms of, you know, the Israeli operations, I'd have to refer you to them"

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary (DPPS) Sabrina Singh spoke to a sparsely-attended room of reporters on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 about one of the greatest unfolding human tragedies in History. Israel is expanding their military assault against Palestine into surrounding nations in order to seize those nations under their vision of “Greater Israel,” which includes all of Lebanon.

Image of “Greater Israel” below is from TruthTower with Matthew Tower at the 18:08 mark of this link.

Today, Israel has no real military opposition against their territorial expansions with military force as long as “Big Brother” has their back. Israel is essentially shooting defenseless fish in a barrel with guided weapons provided to them by the United States. It’s a matter of great shame for the United States, a nation of people that once gave their lives to defeat a similar effort by Germany in World War 2.

DPPS Singh’s complete press conference is at the bottom of the article. I’ll quote some highlights. Images used within quotes are all screenshots, so they won’t play.

Singh dropped a bombshell that the US was sending “US military personnel” to the Middle East.

20:14

QUESTION: “Um, it's been reported that 60 additional US troops have being deployed to Cyprus to help with potential mass evacuations of US citizens from from Lebanon, can you confirm that?”

DPPS: “I cannot confirm the number, but what I can tell you is that we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment forces that are already in the region. Um I'm just not going to be able to provide you more specifics.”

DPPS: “I know, I've seen the reporting. I know it's frustrating, but I'm just not going to be able to confirm more.”

Earlier in the interview, Singh had been pressed for details about a seemingly-imminent ground invasion by Israel against Lebanon. The DPPS referred the reporter to ask Israel.

5:07

QUESTION: “Israel's military Chief um I think earlier today said that strikes in Lebanon would continue in order to not only destroy hezbollah's infrastructure but also prepare for a possible ground Invasion. Just a general comment and do you see a ground Invasion as likely um or even imminent?

DPPS: “So in terms of, um, a ground incursion or ground invasion, you know that's really for the Israelis to speak to.”

“Um, we certainly don't want to see any action taken that could lead to further escalation in the region. We still believe that there is time in space for diplomacy. Um we want to see a diplomatic resolution and a solution to prevent an all-out War. But in terms of, you know, the Israeli operations, I'd have to refer you to them to speak to that.”

5:48

QUESTION:

“And just follow up, last week I think the Secretary (of Defense) had near daily calls with this Israeli counterpart. He hasn't spoken with them since the 22nd. Is there any reason for that and should we expect any any conversations um between the with them in the coming days?”

6:00

DPPC: “I think you can expect them to continue to engage. Um, just because they haven't spoken every day doesn't mean that, you know, our teams haven't been in communication. Um, again, you know he he engages with (Israel Defense) Minister Gallant on a pretty regular basis and when we have more to share on when the next call happens we'll certainly read it out. But, um, you know, just because he hasn't had one every single day this week doesn't mean that we're not engaging with the Israelis.”

“Um, you've seen, uh, maybe not from this building, but other, uh, agencies part of the Administration engaging their Israeli counterparts. So we're continuing that that dialogue.”

A reporter asked Sabrina why she described Israel’s military actions against Lebanon as “defensive” and if the Pentagon was concerned about Israel’s killing very large numbers of civilians in Lebanon (with US weapons).

6:57

QUESTION: “So up until I guess, unless there's some changes, you been describing what's happening as defensive operations. Uh I believe in the first day, almost 500 civilians were killed including women and children in Lebanon. Uh, civilian infrastructure has been damaged severely, uh almost 1300 air strikes uh today up until 3 p.m. Beirut time. More than 50,000 villages have been hit by Israelis. Uh International organizations are describing what happened the first day as the highest death doll in Lebanon since the end of the Civil uh the Civil War. So I'm just curious what criteria are you using to describe what's happening as defensive operations?”

DPPS: “I think I'd have to point you back to October 8th when Lebanese Hezbollah attacked Israel following the um, you know, brutal attack that Hamas launched on October 7th, so these are still defensive operations, um, you know we understand the threat that Israel faces. Um we are not supporting their operations when it comes to Lebanon. The support that you're seeing or what you're seeing when it comes to US forces in the region is for our own Force protection. And should we need to come to the defense of Israel, like we saw um from that, you know large scale attack from Iran, we've positioned forces to do that.”

“But when it comes to Lebanon, US military has no involvement in Israel's operation.”

“So just want to you know lay that flat. Um in terms of, you know, some of, some of what you just referenced, this is exactly why we're pushing for a diplomatic solution. We don't want to see innocent civilians, um, you know, lose their lives. We want to see a deescalation happen and and you're seeing engagement from, you know, all parts of this Administration including at Anga right now. Um we're calling for a deescalation and we believe that a diplomatic off-ramp is the best way, um, to resolve what's happening on that northern border.”

8:53

“And last question. Did um any official in the in the Pentagon um, coming again, any concerns about the high death doll among Lebanese civilians? I mean, I know, we know in in Gaza that that was a constant conversation.”

“Has anyone raised that issue, uh, in relation to Lebanon?”

9:04

DPPS: “Without getting into more details of the Secretary's calls with Minister Gallant, we are of course always concerned of civilian casualties. Um, we're seeing some of these strikes take place in areas where there are civilians.”

“Um you know, we're also seeing Israel notify populations to clear those areas. Um our focus, and and you're seeing a full court press here from, uh, the United States government and this Administration. We want to see a diplomatic solution and we want to see it, you know, urgently. Um and that's why you're seeing engagement, you know whether it be at Anga, or you know, in calls that the Secretary is doing with Minister Gallant um, and not just at his level but you know at other levels as well. We want to see, um, we don't want to see any action taken on either side that would lead to further escalation. We want to see this deescalate and the best off ramp for that to prevent an all-out War is through diplomatic means. Thank you.”

One last item. Sabrina was questioned about whether or not the US had planted explosive devices into consumer devices in Lebanon. Sabrina seemed to change her words in mid-sentence and focus on the back of the room.

20:44

QUESTION: “And just to follow up from the story from last week. Is it the Pentagon's view that it is an acceptable- it's acceptable under the laws of War to booby trap civilian objects and place them among civilian populations? Is that, is that, acceptable for any nation to do?”

DPPS: “That's something that, um, …

(Sabrina’s facial expression changes a great deal and her eyes appear to focus on the back of the room).

“… well one, without commenting on an operation that the US military had no involvement in, it's hard for me to get into the hypotheticals. I'm not a lawyer. I'm not going to try and go down and explain you know legalese from here. Um, so I I just can't comment further on that operation.”

QUESTION: “U.S. are affecting supply chains or intercepting supply chains in order to place explosive items within normal consumer objects right?”

DPPS: “Yeah I'm not going to comment on a hypothetical or or or operation that we had no part of.”

Complete Video:

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