USS Gerald Ford (United States Navy)
On October 6, 2023, a US official confirmed that several American Citizens were killed in the surprise land, sea and air attack launched by HAMAS on Israel. The official did not provide any further details, such as the exact number of Americans killed or their identities.
“We can confirm the deaths of several US citizens,” a spokesperson of the National Security Council said, as quoted by a popular international news agency. “we extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of those who have been affected.
American Naval Deployment
US President Joe Biden ordered the deployment of American ships and warplanes to Israel, signalling Washington’s unwavering support for its ally in the face of escalating attacks by HAMAS. The Pentagon said that it will be sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and its associated warships to the eastern Mediterranean while boosting fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
The US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin, following his discussions with President Joe Biden, announced the deployment of forces to bolster regional deterrence efforts. In addition to the USS Gerald Ford, the US deployment includes a guided missile cruiser and four missile-guided destroyers.
Support from the US
The United States Government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defence Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. Austin said, as quoted by the news agency. The White House has swiftly reaffirmed US support for Israel after the deadly attack from the Gaza Strip, pledging rock solid solidarity and calling for restraint from other parties to the conflict following conformation that several American citizens were killed.
On October 6, 2023, President Biden spoke with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged additional assistance for the Israeli Defence Forces that is on the way to Israel. The leaders also discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that no enemies believe they can or seek advantages from the current situation, the White House said in a statement.
President Biden pledged his support for the government and the people of Israel in the face of an unprecedented and appalling assault by HAMAS terrorists. The same day, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said that the US is working diligently to verify reports of the missing and dead Americans after the attack. “I spoke with the Palestinian Authority President Abbas to discuss the terrorist attacks in Israel. I urge that all leaders in the region must condemn these attacks and acts of terrorism, Mr Blinken wrote on X (former Twitter).
HAMAS has accused the United States as a major arms dealer and supplier of Israel of complicity in the aggression against our people by deploying the aircraft carrier. The death count from the escalation of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict has passed 1,100, with over 700 killed in Israel and at least 400killed in Gaza.
Involvement of Neighbouring States
The large deployment reflects American concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could draw in other parts of the region. In particular, the US is eager to prevent Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah movement from joining the conflict. It is backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which also funds and arms HAMAS. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has expressed support for the HAMAS Attack and said Israel needed to be held on account for endangering the region.
HAMAS has said that assistance from Iran helped it carry out the attack, which involved rockets, drones, and militants on para-gliders and saw hundreds of fighters breaking through the border fortifications around the Gaza Strip.
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