US to move military warships to Eastern Mediterranean in support of Israel, says Defense Secretary

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to sail closer to Israel after the attack by Hamas that has left more than 1,000 dead on both sides.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: October 9, 2023 02:49 PM IST

3 min read

The USS Gerald R. Ford is the US Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. (AP)

Listen to this article

Your browser does not support the audio element.

The US has ordered multiple warships and aircraft carriers to move the Eastern Mediterranean and be ready to support Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas which has left over 1,100 people dead, including an unspecified number of Americans. Local media reports said that a number of Americans are among the over hundred people taken hostage by the Hamas.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday said the USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group, one of the world’s largest aircraft carriers, will move closer to Israel. The force includes the carrier, a guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers.

This comes after US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, assuring him that additional assistance for the Israeli Defense Forces was on its way and more would follow in the coming days, according to the White House.

The US Navy’s advanced aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force and support to Israel. Austin also said they would also provide munitions to Israel with the US augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

“The US maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required,” Austin said in a statement.

Hamas militants still entering Israel, says military |

Israel-Palestine News Live

The surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday and the subsequent retaliatory airstrikes by Israel have killed at least 1,100 people so far, with Israel officials putting the approximate toll at 700 dead and 2,400 wounded and Gaza at 430 dead and 2,200 injured.

Following the attack, the Israeli government formally declared war Sunday with PM Netanyahu vowing to “avenge this black day,” and green-lighting “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas.

Story continues below this ad

Nearly 48 hours after the first attack Saturday, fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants is ongoing in seven to eight locations near Gaza. The Israeli military also warned that Hamas fighters are still crossing into Israel from Gaza and that residents are to stay cautious.

Israel has also called in around one lakh soldiers, according to military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus.

— With inputs from AP and Reuters

From the homepage