First planeload of US munitions arrives in Israel to help arm massive ground attack on Gaza, and more Iron Dome interceptors may also be on board
- Israel’s Defense Ministry released video of the plane carrying the weapons arriving
- It landed at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel on Tuesday afternoon
The first shipment of US weapons landed in Israel on Tuesday afternoon as the Israel Defense Forces prepare for a ground invasion of Gaza.
Hundreds of thousands of Israeli soldiers and military hardware are massed around the 141-square-mile area, which has been pounded by airstrikes for days.
The US has promised to increase ammunition and interceptors for Israel’s Iron Dome after Hamas terrorists pulled out of Gaza, killing at least 1,200 people.
“The first plane carrying US weapons since arrived at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel this evening,” Israel tweeted last night.
“Cooperation between our militaries is a key part of ensuring regional security and stability in times of war.”
Hours before the first aid shipment arrived, President Joe Biden outlined his support for Israel and described the Hamas attack on Saturday as “an act of pure evil.”
“For 75 years Israel has soon stood as the sole guarantor of the safety of Jews around the world so that the atrocities of the past will never be repeated,” he said.
“Let there be no doubt: The United States has Israel’s back. We will ensure that the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today tomorrow, as we have always done.’
Soon after, his National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Biden had ordered munitions and interceptors to be sent to Israel.
“Under his guidance, the United States has dropped munitions and interceptors for Iron Dome,” he said.
“And the president spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu just a little while ago to talk about additional capabilities that Israel will need.
“And he promised that US planes would land in Israel with these capabilities in the coming days.”
And Biden sent Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to the region.
Boeing is also reported to be speeding up delivery of 1,000 smart bombs.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel, October 9, 2023
President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the fourth time since Wednesday’s attacks
The Israeli Air Force dropped the 250-pound bombs into Israel after receiving them from a US Air Force base, according to Fox News. The weapons are part of a 2021 deal to supply Israel with military hardware.
Meanwhile, the State Department said the US death toll in the Hamas attack rose to 22.
And Israel’s former emergency war cabinet and unity government as it considers its response to the attacks.
Netanyahu reached an agreement with Benny Gantz, head of the center-right opposition National Unity party.
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