In the aftermath of the devastating attack by Hamas on Israel, the United States moved to uphold its commitment to its closest ally in the Middle East by deploying its warships and aircraft to the region. US President Joe Biden’s assurance of “rock-solid and unwavering” support was followed by concrete actions, demonstrating a robust military assistance package to aid Israel in its defence efforts.

The United States, which provides about $3 billion in military aid to Israel annually, has augmented its support by ordering the deployment of military ships and aircraft closer to the region. A focal point of this assistance is the provision of air defence ammunition for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system, a vital shield equipped with advanced radar and tracking technology capable of intercepting and neutralizing incoming rockets, as reported by PBS.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced the strategic movement of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford and five guided-missile cruisers and destroyers to the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, near Israel, according to a report by The New York Times. Authorities stated that the ships were en route but would take a few days to reach their destination. The carrier, which had recently completed a joint exercise with the Italian Navy, received urgent orders to sail swiftly to the Eastern Mediterranean with its crew of approximately 5,000 onboard.

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The carrier, a formidable asset, serves as a primary command centre, conducts information warfare, and operates surveillance planes for early warnings on missile launches. Additionally, it houses F-18 fighter jets capable of intercepts and strikes and boasts significant humanitarian capabilities, including an onboard hospital and helicopters for medical evacuations and supply airlifts.

In tandem with these deployments, the Pentagon has reinforced existing squadrons in the Middle East with additional warplanes, including A-10, F-15, and F-16 aircraft, as added by the PBS report.

According to an Al-Jazeera report, the United States has dispatched the USS Normandy, a guided missile cruiser armed with naval guns, and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, thereby strengthening its naval presence in the region.

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On the other hand, the Palestinian military group Hamas condemned US assistance to Israel as “aggression” against Palestinians according to Al Jazeera. In a statement, Hamas asserted that the US decision to provide military support amounted to direct participation in aggression against their people.

Meanwhile, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its seventh day, the death toll on both sides has reached staggering numbers. As of Thursday morning, more than 1,200 people had died in Israel with another 2,900 injured according to ABC News. In Gaza, retaliatory airstrikes by Israel have resulted in at least 1,417 deaths including 447 children and 248 women. Additionally, 6,000 others have been injured according to the report.

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(Edited by : Vivek Dubey)