'Israel to delay Gaza invasion so US can rush missile defenses to the region'

According to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, which cited American and Israeli sources, Israel has decided to put off an anticipated invasion of Gaza for the time being so that the United States may send missile defences to the area to safeguard American troops stationed there. According to the WSJ, American officials have so far persuaded Israel to wait until American air defence systems can be deployed in the region, maybe as early as this week. According to the news report, Israel is also intending to provide humanitarian aid inside Gaza and pursue diplomatic measures to release hostages held by Hamas fighters. It stated that threats to American troops were of the utmost importance. According to the Journal, Washington was rushing to deploy around a dozen air defence systems, including for its soldiers stationed in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Jordan. According to the report, U.S. military officials and other officials fear that if Israel begins its ground invasion of the Palestinian area held by Hamas, terrorist groups will strike their forces. (With agency inputs)