US deploys ships and boosts fighter aircraft squadrons in region

The Pentagon is sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and accompanying warships to the eastern Mediterranean.

The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier battle group has been sent to the eastern Mediterranean in a show of support. Picture: AFP

US President Joe Biden has ordered US ships and warplanes to move closer to Israel in a show of support, while sending fresh military aid after attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Pentagon said it was sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and accompanying warships to the eastern Mediterranean, while boosting fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

US Central Command on Sunday afternoon confirmed that ships and planes had begun moving to their new posts.

The US, a major supplier of arms to Israel, has moved quickly to affirm its backing for the country after Saturday’s surprise attack from the Gaza Strip, vowing “rock solid” support and warning other parties to stay out of the conflict.

Mr Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “conveyed that additional assistance for the Israeli Defence Forces is now on its way to Israel with more to follow over the coming days,” the White House said.

“The leaders also discussed ongoing efforts to ensure no enemies of Israel believe they can or should seek advantage from the current situation,” it said in a statement.

Mr Biden further “pledged his full support for the government and people of Israel in the face of an unprecedented and appalling assault by Hamas terrorists.”

Hamas later accused the US in a statement of “actual partici­pation in the aggression against our people” by moving the aircraft carrier.

With tensions rising, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was sending forces to “bolster regional deterrence efforts” after discussions with Mr Biden.

As well as the USS Gerald R. Ford, the deployment includes a guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers, he said.

“The US government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defence Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions,” said Mr Austin, who also spoke with his Israeli counterpart on Sunday.

The movement of US ships and planes and the aid to Israel “underscores the US’s ironclad support for the Israel Defence Forces and the Israeli people.”

The US led calls for condemnation of a Hamas assault on Israel at the UN Security Council. “I expect to hear from other council members very strong condemnation of these heinous acts of terrorism committed against the Israeli people and their government,” senior US diplomat Robert Wood said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier that Mr Biden ordered his administration to give Israel “everything it needs in this moment to deal with the attacks from Hamas.”

Several Americans may have been taken hostage, Mr Blinken said. “We have reports several Americans were killed. We’re working overtime to verify that.”

AFP