A US carrier strike group has been ordered to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel after the attack by Hamas that has left more than 1000 dead on both sides.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, and its approximately 5000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.
The large deployment, which also includes a host of ships and warplanes, underscores the concern that the United States has in trying to deter the conflict from growing.
READ MORE: Death toll climbs above 900 in Israel and Gaza
Along with the Ford, one of the world's largest aircraft carriers, the US is sending the cruiser USS Normandy, destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt and the US is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
“The US maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required,” Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
In addition, the Biden administration “will be rapidly providing the Israel Defence Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days,” Austin said.
The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier strike group was already in the Mediterranean.
Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea.
The carrier is in its first full deployment.
President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a telephone call on Sunday, discussed “the taking of hostages by Hamas terrorists, including entire families, the elderly, and young children,” according to a White House statement describing their conversation.
Biden stressed that all countries “must stand united in the face of such brutal atrocities.”
The president updated Netanyahu on US diplomatic efforts and said additional assistance for Israeli forces was on the way, with more to come in the days ahead, the White House said.
They also discussed ways “to ensure that no enemies of Israel believe they can or should seek advantage from the current situation.”
On Capitol Hill, the House is preparing a bipartisan resolution that says it “stands with Israel” and condemns “Hamas’ brutal war.”
The resolution from the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to be among the first items considered for voting once the House elects a new speaker.
READ MORE: A 'Pearl Harbor' moment: Why didn't Israel's sophisticated border stop attack?
“Now is the time to show the world the United States firmly stands with our friend and ally Israel in our condemnation of this heinous attack by Iran-backed terrorists,” said the committee chairman, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas.
House business is currently at a standstill in after the historic ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Majority Republicans plan to kick off the selection process, in private, at a Tuesday evening forum where candidates can address their colleagues.
The real contest could come as soon as Wednesday when the House next convenes.
Israel-Hamas war: What we know so far
- Hamas militants crossed into Israel by land, sea and air in the early hours of Saturday morning. The militants infiltrated 22 towns and army bases. Civilians and soldiers were killed and taken hostage. At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel.
- Israel formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday and have been pounding Gaza with airstrikes. More than 400 Palestinians have reportedly died. Hamas has fired over 4000 rockets into Israel.
- The Wall Street Journal today reported Iran helped Palestinian militants plan their shock assault. The US has ordered a large carrier strike force sail to the eastern Med.
