Categories: World

US Navy moving warships, aircraft closer to Israel amid Hamas war

close Video

US military moving ships and aircraft closer to Israel

The U.S. military is moving naval ships and military aircraft closer to Israel as war breaks out. FOX News’ Lucas Tomlinson with the details.

The U.S. Navy is moving warships and aircraft closer to Israel in the aftermath of an unprecedented assault on the country from Hamas terrorists, a U.S. military official tells Fox News.

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Fox News in a statement that he directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean following detailed discussions with President Biden about the Hamas attack on Israel that has killed at least 600 Israelis.

The warships include the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).

“In addition, the United States government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions,” Austin said. “The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days.”

LIVE UPDATES: AT LEAST 600 DEAD, ISRAELI PM DECLARES ‘WAR’ AFTER HAMAS TERRORISTS LAUNCH MASSIVE ATTACK

The USS Gerald R. Ford, one of the world’s largest aircraft carriers, is being sent to the Eastern Mediterranean following detailed discussions with President Biden about the Hamas attack on Israel. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Lloyd said the U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required. 

“Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the material support that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscores the United States’ ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people,” the statement said. “My team and I will continue to be in close contact with our Israeli counterparts to ensure they have what they need to protect their citizens and defend themselves against these heinous terrorist attacks.”

The USS Gerald R. Ford is among the warships being sent to the Eastern Mediterranean following the Hamas terror attack in Israel. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

BIDEN BLASTED FOR ‘APPEASING IRAN’ AHEAD OF DEVASTATING ATTACK ON ISRAEL: END THE ‘ONE-SIDED CONCESSIONS’

President Biden has aggressively affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of Saturday’s surprise attack, which has so far killed at least 600 Israelis and wounded at least 2,000 more.

Video

The Pentagon has not clarified whether it would use military force to assist Israel in the conflict. Israel formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday, its first such declaration since 1973.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.

Share

Recent Posts

Violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua terrorizing Americans in at least 19 states

close Video Tren de Aragua suspects arrested in Bronx, New York Fox News correspondent CB…

2 hours ago

Scott Peterson arrest months after Laci disappeared Christmas Eve may have been strategic: former homicide cop

close Video Murder suspect Brad Simpson appears in court Brad Simpson appeared in a San…

2 hours ago

Fall of Assad, rise of Trump: Why 2024 was a very bad year for Iran

The fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad was the crescendo of a remarkably bad year for…

2 hours ago

Six household appliances that have taken heat from Biden’s crackdown on regulations

The Biden administration has made tightening efficiency standards for household appliances a target as he's…

2 hours ago

Trump names several new White House picks to work on AI, crypto and more: ‘America First Patriots’

President-elect Donald Trump unleashed a slew of nominations on Sunday night, naming several new people…

9 hours ago

Trump nominates Callista Gingrich as U.S. ambassador to Switzerland, announces other picks

President-elect Trump on Sunday named Callista Gingrich, wife to former Speaker of the House Newt…

9 hours ago