A show of support and a signal of readiness to help: The Pentagon on Sunday ordered the aircraft carrier Ford and its accompanying ships to sail to the eastern Mediterranean to help Israel. The aircraft carrier is accompanied by the missile ship Normandy and four destroyers. According to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the U.S. will also strengthen the presence of F-35, F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter jets in the region. "The United States maintains forces in readiness around the world to increase deterrence, if necessary," he said.
Austin added that the U.S. would quickly provide ammunition and equipment to the IDF. "The first security aid is coming today and will continue to arrive in the coming days," he added. According to Reuters, the aid was intended to demonstrate American readiness to respond to any scenario, from interception of weapons supplies to Hamas to surveillance missions.
In response to Washington's announcement, Hamas said: "The movement of the aircraft carrier does not scare us. The U.S. government must grasp the consequences of this step."
The aircraft carrier Ford, photo: AFP
President Biden spoke this morning with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The president once again expressed his deep sympathy for all the missing, wounded and killed, and promised his full support to the government and the people of Israel in the face of the unprecedented and horrific attack by Hamas terrorists. They discussed the taking of hostages by Hamas terrorists, including entire families, the elderly and young children. The president stressed that there is no justification for terrorism, and all countries must stand united in the face of such cruel atrocities.
President Biden updated the prime minister on the intensive diplomatic involvement the United States has made over the past 24 hours in support of Israel. The president also said that additional aid to the Israeli Defense Forces was currently on its way to Israel and that its continuation would arrive in the coming days. The leaders also discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that no enemy of Israel believes they can or should seek advantage from the current situation. The two leaders pledged to maintain regular contact over the next few days.
IDF forces in Sderot, photo: AFP
According to US reports, these vessels will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean: the US aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), as well as the other ships in the Carrier Strike 12 group, which includes the Ticonderoga cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), as well as the Arlie Burke-Class Destroyers USS Ramage (DDG-61), USS McFaul (DDG-74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116). All of them travel towards the eastern Mediterranean in a "show of support" for Israel and to help with the possible evacuation of US citizens from the country if the need arises.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us