The United States has announced that it will increase military aid to Israel and send military ships and aircraft closer to the country in response to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The announcement was made by US President Joe Biden on Monday, August 8, 2023.
Biden said that the US is “committed to Israel’s security” and that the increased military aid is “a necessary step to ensure that Israel can defend itself against Hamas and other terrorist groups.” He also said that the US is “deeply concerned” about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The US has been providing military aid to Israel for decades, but the amount of aid has increased in recent years. In 2022, the US provided Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid. The new aid package is expected to be worth around $4 billion.
The US is also sending military ships and aircraft closer to Israel in a show of support for the country. The US Navy has already deployed the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to the Mediterranean Sea. The US Air Force has also deployed several fighter jets to the region.
The increased US military aid and the deployment of military ships and aircraft closer to Israel is likely to escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It is also likely to increase tensions between the US and Iran, which is a major supporter of Hamas.
The international community has expressed concern about the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire between the two sides, but neither side has so far complied. The UN has also warned of a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where over 2 million people are living under blockade.
It is unclear when the conflict between Israel and Hamas will end. However, the increased US military aid and the deployment of military ships and aircraft closer to Israel is likely to prolong the conflict and make it more difficult to find a peaceful solution.