US sends military advisers to Israel, including expert in urban warfare: Report

One of the officers leading the assistance is Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn, who previously helped lead special operations forces against the Daesh terror group and served in Fallujah, Iraq, the official stated.

Glynn will also be advising on how to mitigate civilian casualties in urban warfare, added the official, who was not authorised to discuss Glynn’s role and spoke on condition of anonymity.

US military officers who are advising Israel “have experience that is appropriate to the sorts of operations that Israel is conducting”, John Kirby, the White House spokesman, also told reporters on Monday.

The advisers will not be engaged in the fighting, the unnamed US official told AP.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video statement released Monday Israel is preparing for a “military operation” on Hamas from the “air, ground, and sea”.

Gallant has completed a tour of the Ashdod Navy base, where he stated he “conducted a situation assessment of naval operations” and “toured the shores on Israel’s southern border together with Navy Commander VADM David Saar Salama”.

He commended the work of soldiers and commanders in “thwarting many attacks that would have taken place” against Israel, Gallant noted in a video statement filmed during the visit.

“My message to the soldiers – well done, you did an excellent job! Keep preparing for our operation, it will come soon. We are preparing thoroughly for the next step – a multilateral operation in the air, ground, and sea,” Gallant continued, adding, “Do your work, get ready. We will need you.”