The Pentagon is working quickly to provide Israel with much-needed ammunition and is preparing to deploy additional support for its “strike force” in the Middle East as the crucial US ally fends off a brutal attack by Hamas terrorists.
A defense official told DailyMail.com on Monday that the Defense Ministry is providing “critically needed munitions of various types” and other equipment to help Israel.
The official said the ministry is working to assess what other munitions and equipment from the US stockpile can be “rapidly” made available to Israel.
“We are also in contact with US industry and have successfully expedited the shipment of outstanding Israeli orders for military equipment that might otherwise have been considered routine for movement,” the defense official continued.
The Pentagon currently has the “authority, funding and resources” needed and is in constant consultation with Congress.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, pictured left in March with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallad, said America could “further enhance” its military presence in the region “if needed”.
F-18 fighter jets are seen on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford on November 17, 2022 in Gosport, England
On Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s latest and most advanced aircraft carrier, to the Middle East region.
The announcement came hours after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed around 900 Israelis.
Israel has declared war on Hamas and is ready to invade Gaza.
The ship is headed to the region as part of a carrier strike group made up of the military’s most advanced hardware, including a fleet of destroyers, guided-missile cruisers and fighter jets.
The development sends a “clear message to Iran, Hezbollah and its proxies not to exploit the situation,” the official told DailyMail.com.
An additional surface ship from Greece will be added to the “strike team”.
A carrier strike group is a naval force consisting of an aircraft carrier at its center, along with a fleet of support ships and often attacking submarines. The US has 11 carrier strike groups, each with enough firepower to match the forces of several small and medium-sized countries.
In total, around 7,500 people work across the airline strike team.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, which cost about $18 billion to develop — including $4.7 billion for research and development and $12.8 billion for construction — can carry up to 90 aircraft, including the most advanced fighter jets army’s.
Hamas called the decision to send the US strike team “participation in the attack against our people”.
In addition, Austin made the decision to “increase air power at several bases in Europe and the Middle East.”
This is in addition to the fighter jet capability provided by the Carrier Strike team.
“This increase was achieved by holding in place aircraft previously scheduled to rotate out of these areas as their replacements arrived, creating an increased force capability,” the official said.
President Biden confirmed on Monday that 11 Americans were killed in Israel
President Biden confirmed on Monday that 11 Americans were killed in Israel.
There is also an unknown number of US citizens who may be being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
“It’s disappointing. These families have been torn apart by unwarranted hatred and violence,” the president said in a statement.
“We are also aware that American citizens are still missing and are working with Israeli officials to obtain more information about their whereabouts.”
“While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is possible that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas,” Biden continued.
The State Department is in contact with the families of the victims “and is providing all appropriate consular assistance,” Pentagon spokesman Matthew Miller said.
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