section_path: Spillover/American involvement
section_name: American involvement
paragraph_text: American involvement
  
  The extent of American support for Israel has led the war to be labelled as 'the first US-Israeli joint war'. Alongside substantial military, financial, and diplomatic support, the US also intervened in the war directly. 100 American soldiers were deployed in combat to man a THAAD anti-air battery. In addition, America piloted drones over Gaza in order to provide intelligence to Israel. This intelligence was aimed at locating Palestinian militant leaders in Gaza and the location of hostages; this also included information on Sinwar's location.
  
  On 18 March 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip, ending the 2025 Gaza war ceasefire. These attacks killed more than 400 Palestinians, including 263 women and children. Israel's government spokesman David Mencer revealed that operation was "fully coordinated with Washington" and thanked the Trump administration "for their unyielding support for Israel". On 6 April, a second THAAD system was deployed to Israel by the US.