The United States on Sunday began sending military aid to Israel with new munitions, and bringing its carrier strike group closer to the Mediterranean, marking rapid support for its historic ally surprised by attacks by Palestinian Hamas. Washington also confirmed that several American citizens were among the victims.
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With our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki
Faithful to its role as the primary supplier of military aid to Israel, Washington is mobilizing. Since Saturday morning, American officials have increased discussions with their Israeli counterparts to best meet their needs. Joe Biden once again promised that everything will be put in place so that “ Israel can defend itself “.
The American president announced that initial assistance for Israeli forces is already on the way. Equipment, materials and ammunition, the Pentagon said in a press release. Aid which was already planned as part of the $3 billion in military support provided each year to the Israelis by Washington.
The US Secretary of Defense also announced that the United States was strengthening its military presence in the region. Several American warships and an aircraft carrier were thus ordered to position themselves in the Eastern Mediterranean. The presence of combat aircraft has also been strengthened.
All of this ” strengthens the posture of the US Department of Defense in the region “, said Lloyd Austin, adding that ” The United States maintains globally ready forces to strengthen deterrence posture if necessary “.
The White House has said it is working on additional military aid. But given that this requires congressional approval and that the House of Representatives is in the midst of a political crisis, it may take time.
This military aid amounts to a “ participation in the aggression against our people », Reacted Sunday Hamas, in power in the Gaza Strip.
The head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken, who increased the number of interviews on Sunday, shared information according to which Americans were among the victims of the attacks. Information confirmed by the spokesperson for the American National Security Council on Sunday evening, who, without giving a precise assessment, speaks of “ the death of several American citizens “.