USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to be on alert to assist Israel

In the wake of an unprecedented surprise attack by Hamas militants, Israel formally declared war on Sunday, authorizing “significant military steps” to respond to the aggression. The conflict has escalated rapidly, with fighting taking place in southern Israel’s streets and continuous airstrikes on Gaza.

Here are the latest developments:

Pentagon Alerts U.S. Aircraft Carrier: The Pentagon has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to be on alert to assist Israel. The carrier was already conducting naval exercises in the Mediterranean with Italy. This deployment includes a significant number of warplanes and ships, underlining the United States’ concern about preventing further escalation in the conflict.

U.S. Promises Assistance: President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pledging “additional assistance for the Israeli Defense Forces.” More support is expected to be provided in the coming days as the situation unfolds.

Palestinian Casualty Figures: The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 378 people have died in the violence following the Hamas attack. Most of the casualties, 370, occurred in the Gaza Strip, with over 2,200 individuals wounded. Eight people were killed in parts of the West Bank. These figures underscore the human cost of the ongoing conflict.

Americans Among Hamas Captives: Israel confirmed that American citizens are among those taken captive by Hamas during the attack. However, details about them, as well as any Americans who might have been killed, remain limited as authorities work to verify the information.

Other Foreign Nationals Affected: Three British men have been reported dead or missing following the Hamas attack. Several other foreigners, including a French woman, Germans, Ukrainians, and Belarusians, have also been affected, either injured or missing, amid the escalating violence.

Rallies in the U.S.: Palestinian Americans planned rallies in various U.S. cities, including Anaheim, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Germany to Review Aid: Germany’s development minister announced that the country would review its aid for the Palestinian areas in light of the ongoing conflict. Germany has been a significant contributor to Palestinian development, but it is reevaluating its commitment due to the situation’s gravity.

U.S. Considering More Assistance: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that additional assistance requests from Israel were being considered. He emphasized that the U.S. is committed to providing Israel with the support it needs during this crisis.

Regional Concerns: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed the importance of avoiding a broader “conflagration” in the Middle East. He pledged Germany’s support for efforts to mediate and de-escalate the situation.

Hezbollah Tensions: Hezbollah fighters erected a tent in a disputed area along Lebanon’s southern border shortly after an Israeli drone destroyed a similar structure. The situation with Hezbollah has been tense, with the U.N. attempting to persuade the group to remove the tent.

Rafah Under Attack: Israeli airstrikes continued in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. An explosion was heard, indicating another strike, with residents reporting that a house was evacuated. Overnight, airstrikes hit the crowded refugee camp of Shaboura, resulting in numerous casualties.

Arab League Condemns Israeli Aggression: The Arab League condemned the Israeli military aggression and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people. The organization urged the international community to intervene and stop the Israeli attacks.

China’s Call for a Palestinian State: China expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and called for the creation of an independent State of Palestine, emphasizing the urgency of resuming peace talks between Palestine and Israel.

The situation remains fluid and highly volatile, with international efforts underway to de-escalate the conflict and prevent further loss of life.

Source: With Agencies