To what extent will the United States protect and support Israel?

The United States has pledged its strong support for Israel in the face of attacks by Hamas and has backed up this support with military aid. President Biden has made it clear that the US stands with Israel, issuing a warning to those who might seek to take advantage of the situation. This warning is primarily aimed at Iran and its allies. Recent incidents, including attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria and interception of missiles potentially aimed at Israel, have heightened tensions in the region. In response, the US has deployed carrier strike groups and placed thousands of troops on standby. The US is Israel's largest military backer, providing billions of dollars in defense aid annually. American-made aircraft and munitions are currently being used by Israel in the conflict. President Biden has requested additional funding for Israel's military and the Pentagon has announced the deployment of advanced missile defense systems to the Middle East. Despite this show of support, experts believe that the US would be reluctant to become directly involved in another war in the region, especially in an election year. The focus of concern for both the US and Israel is the threat posed by the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah, which is seen as a much greater threat than Hamas. There are fears that if Hezbollah intervenes, the US may use its airpower to strike targets in Lebanon, but boots on the ground are unlikely. Both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have stated that the US will respond if American personnel or military assets are targeted. The US wants to deter Iran and its proxies from escalating the conflict further, and its support for Israel is conditional, with President Biden urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and avoid a prolonged occupation. There is speculation that US support for Israel may wane as civilian casualties increase, and the US hopes that its military presence and aid will be sufficient to prevent further escalation. Overall, direct US intervention on behalf of Israel has been rare, with the US primarily using its military leverage to restrain Israel.