US strengthens regional posture with munitions, ships and fighter jets in response to Hamas attack on Israel
President Biden has said to reassure the Israeli leader that US assistance is on its way. (Photo: US Navy/US DoD)
The swift deployment of munitions and the mobilisation of ships and fighter jets in response to the Hamas attack on Israel raise concerns about potential broader regional involvement.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on 8 October that he was ordering USN ships, including the USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group with additional aircraft, to move closer to the eastern Mediterranean in response to Hamas’ multi-fronted attack on Israel.
‘Today, in response to this Hamas attack on Israel, and following detailed discussions with President Biden, I have directed several steps to strengthen Department of Defense posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts,’ Austin said in a news release, adding that he is taking ‘steps to augment US Air Force F-35, F-16, F-15 and A-10
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