US warships and fighter jets are being moved closer to Israel as a show of support, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The announcement came as the US confirmed that several of its citizens have died since the start of Hamas' surprise attack on Israel.
Austin, in a statement, said he ordered the moving of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean closer to Israel. The force includes the carrier, a guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers. He added that the United States had also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. He said the United States would also provide munitions to Israel.
Austin added that the U.S. steps "were taken to strengthen the U.S. military posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts."
The US has expressed its support to Israel with President Joe Biden, on a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promising that additional assistance for the Israeli Defense Forces was on its way.
The move triggered Hamas, which accused the United States of taking part in "aggression against Palestinian people" by sending a Navy carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. "These movements do not frighten our people nor their resistance, which will continue to defend our people and our holy places," Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem said in a statement.
Meanwhile, US lawmakers and Biden administration officials discussed increasing support for Israel at a briefing with House leadership on Sunday night, CNN reported.
As per the report, senior officials from the State and Defense Departments told the lawmakers they were moving as quickly to deliver weapons and resources to Israel. These include items like artillery shells and missiles for Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system.
"While Israel's supplies are sufficient in the short term, they may need additional support if the conflict drags on," CNN quoted an unnamed source.
Meanwhile, though the US is yet to confirm the number of US citizens who died in the Hamas attack, members of Congress were told that four Americans have been killed in the war.
The death toll of American citizens is expected to rise, the source said.