US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced the sending of an aircraft carrier, a destroyer and ammunition to Israel to “protect the Israeli people.”
“I have ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier strike group 'USS Gerald R. Ford' in the Eastern Mediterranean”, Austin explained in a statement. Also in the group are a Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser and Burke-class missile cruisers.
Washington will also send additional squadrons of F-35, F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter jets and provide the Israeli Armed Forces with “additional material and resources, including ammunition.”. “The first security aid is already on the move today and will arrive in the coming days,” Austin highlighted.
Authorizing the use of US ammunition stored in Israel for use in an emergency is also being studied.. Much of that ammunition has been sent to Ukraine despite protests from Israeli authorities, although Washington hopes there will be enough ammunition to meet Israeli needs.
Both the Democratic and Republican Parties have expressed support for sending additional military aid to Israel, but it is unclear whether Congress has the authority to pass new laws now that the speaker of the House of Representatives has been removed.
The acting president, Patrick McHenry, does not have the power to present projects or participate in meetings of senior Pentagon officials.
“Full support” from the United States
This same Sunday, US President Joe Biden had promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu additional US military aid.. “Additional aid for the Israel Defense Forces is already on its way to Israel and there will be more in the coming days,” Biden told Netanyahu, according to a statement from the White House.
In addition, Biden has informed the Israeli leader of the “intense US diplomatic offensive” of the last 24 hours to support Israel.. “The leaders have addressed efforts underway to ensure that no enemy of Israel believes they can take advantage of the current situation,” Washington said.
In that sense, Biden has expressed the “total support” of the United States for the Government and people of Israel in the face of “this unprecedented and devastating attack by Hamas terrorists.”
In particular they have dealt with the taking of hostages, “including entire families, the elderly and small children”. “The president has stressed that there is no justification for terrorism and that all countries must unite in the face of these brutal atrocities,” the White House reported.
Netanyahu himself had previously reported the telephone conversation with Biden, although it had only emerged that Biden had expressed his “unwavering support” for Israel.