WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden ordered US ships and warplanes on Sunday to move closer to Israel in a show of support for Israel, while sending fresh military aid after attacks by Hamas.

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

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 that no enemies of Israel believe they can or should seek advantage from the current situation,” it said in a statement.

The US president further “pledged his full support for the government and people of Israel in the face of an unprecedented and appalling assault by Hamas”.

‘Ironclad support’

The conflict has also stoked fears of a wider conflagration. Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said on Sunday it had fired shells and missiles at Israeli positions.

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

As well as the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier, this deployment includes a guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers, Austin said in a statement.

“The United States government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defence Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions,” Austin added.

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

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

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2023