Here’s the military support the US is sending toward Israel, from US Navy ships to munitions
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The US is sending munitions, aircraft carriers, and fighter jets to and around Israel following the attack by Hamas militants.
The aid package also includes the newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.
Specific munitions are uncertain, but Israel is in need of weapons for their Iron Dome defense system.
After the surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas over the weekend, the US has been swift in its response and providing aid.
On October 7, Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing dozens of civilians and abducting others. Israel responded with a series of airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip.
Since the conflict began, at least 1,000 Israelis have died, with another 2,500 injured, according to Israel’s health ministry in Washington. The death toll for Palestinians has increased to at least 830 people, and at least 4,250 have been injured, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The US contributes $3 billion annually to its ally in the Middle East and will bolster that support by sending additional munitions and redirecting fighter jets and aircraft carriers toward Israel. Most notably, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the newest US aircraft carrier, is being directed from its station in the Mediterranean towards Israel.
Here’s what the US is providing to and around Israel amid the conflict.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier to date.
The USS Gerald R. Ford in a fjord in Oslo.STIAN LYSBERG SOLUM/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
The supercarrier, out on its first full deployment, is now moving toward Israel as a show of support from the US, Insider’s Chris Panella previously reported.
Included in the USS Gerald R. Ford strike force are a number of other cruisers and destroyers.
The USS Normandy, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.
The U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy gets underway for deployment as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Colbey Livingston/Handout via REUTERS
The USS Normandy can fire missiles to strike land targets or fire missiles to defend against aircraft or incoming missiles.
The USS Thomas Hudner, one of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers in the fleet.
The USS Thomas Hudner sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea in 2021.REUTERS/Murad Sezer
The USS Thomas Hudner provides both offensive and defensive capabilities and can act independently or as part of a larger strike force.
The USS Ramage, another Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.
The USS Ramage operates in the Arabian Gulf.REUTERS/Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras/U.S. Navy/Handout
The USS Ramage similarly provides offensive and defensive capabilities for the strike force.
The US Navy destroyer USS Carney.
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Carney sails on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.REUTERS/Yoruk Isik.
The USS Carney is another Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and was first launched in 1994. The ship has since been upgraded in 2009 and 2016, where it received a new cannon and missile launcher.
The USS Roosevelt, designed to operate independently in a high-density, multi-threat environment.
The USS Roosevelt, a US Navy ship, sets sail in the Bosphorus.REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
The USS Roosevelt is the fourth Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the fleet.
Several F-35 fighter jets, considered to be the most advanced fighter jet in the world.
F-35A Lockheed Martin fighter jet lands on a motorway.NTB/Ole Andreas Vekve via REUTERS
The US is also augmenting several of its Air Force operations in the region, including F-35 fighter jets.
The US is deploying several of the stealth fighters to help deter Iran, a regional adversary that backs Hamas and Hezbollah.
Insider previously reported that about 20-25 fighters will head to the region and be tasked with deterring the expansion of the war and preventing potential Iranian aggression.
Several F-15 fighter jets.
An Israeli F-15 fighter jet takes off during a joint international aerial training exercise.REUTERS/Amir Cohen
F-15s are extremely maneuverable, tactical fighters, designed to give the Air Force an upper hand in air-to-air combat.
Several F-16 fighter jets, designed for both air-to-air combat as well as air-to-ground combat.
An F-16 fighter jet at the Volkel Air Base.REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw
The F-16 is a versatile and lightweight fighter.
Several A-10 fighter jets, designed to provide close air support to ground forces.
A US Air Force A-10 fighter aircraft stands during a media day.Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images
They are designed to be used against maritime attacks and ground targets like tanks and other armored vehicles.
Israel reportedly requested interceptors and precision-guided munitions.
Rockets fired from Gaza City being intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense missile system.EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images
The specific munition being sent to Israel is unclear, but Israel has reportedly requested interceptors and precision-guided munitions. The interceptors contribute to Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, which targets rockets in flight.
Al Jazeera reported that $2 billion worth of US munitions have been pre-supplied to be used in case of emergencies in Israel.
Read the original article on Business Insider