US Deploys Warships To Fighter Jets Near Israel, Hamas: Real Participation In Aggression

Hamas denounced the United States' plan to deploy its warplanes and warships around Israel in support, as Washington officials expressed its support for Tel Aviv, believing Hamas' attack may be suspected of disrupting efforts to normalize Saudi Israeli-Arab relations.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement he ordered the transfer of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Attack Group to the eastern Mediterranean closer to Israel. The troops included the aircraft carrier, a guided-missile cruiser, and four guided-missile destroyers.

In addition, he also said the United States had also taken steps to add squadrons of US Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft in the region, adding the United States would also provide ammunition to Israel.

The Pentagon said in a subsequent statement that Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to provide him with the latest information on the US response, as well as "to express support for the Israeli people and to receive up-to-date information about Israel's operations to restore security and safety from Hamas terrorist attacks."

"The minister reiterated the United States' steadfast support for Israel's right to defend itself," the statement said, underlining US measures "taken to strengthen US military posture in the region to step up regional deterrence efforts".

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday additional aid for the Israel Defense Force (IDF) was being sent to Israel and more would follow in the coming days, the White House said after their talks. Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris also made a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Responding to Uncle Sam's plan, Hamas denounced it as real participation and said it would not be intimidated.

"Real participation in aggression against our people," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem condemned the announcement, saying the group would not be intimidated.

Attacks by Hamas fighters in Israeli cities on Saturday have been the deadliest attack on the country since the Egyptian and Syrian attacks in the Yom Kippur War that broke out about 50 years ago.

Hamas said the attack was driven by what he called an increase in Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as against Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh highlighted the threat to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, the continuation of Israel's blockade of Gaza and the normalization of Israel with countries in the region.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suspected Hamas' attack was aimed at disrupting reconciliation efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

"It's no surprise that its motivation may be to disrupt efforts to unite Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as other countries that may be interested in normalizing relations with Israel," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN.

The White House ensures that efforts to normalize Saudi-Israel Arabia relations will continue, despite attacks by the Hamas group.

"We think the two countries will have an interest in continuing to pursue this possibility," US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer told Fox News.

Foreign Minister Blinken said the attack on Israel as a "terrorist attack carried out by a terrorist organization" added there was no evidence yet to be seen by the United States if Iran was behind the attack.