US rushing air defences and munitions to Israel, defence official says
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A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip strikes an area near Sderot, in southern Israel, on Oct 9.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - The United States military is “surging” fresh supplies of air defences, munitions and other security assistance to Israel to help it respond to an unprecedented weekend attack by Hamas
“Planes have already taken off,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to Pentagon reporters.
“We are surging support to Israel... We remain in constant ongoing contact with our counterparts in Israel to determine and then support their most urgent requirements.”
The US has not yet detailed the extent of Israel’s requests for security assistance.
But the US defence official said Washington was contacting the defence industry to expedite pending Israeli orders, and looking at the US military’s own stockpiles to help fill Israeli gaps
The official also appeared to dismiss concerns that the US might struggle to supply Israel at the same time that it funnels weaponry to Ukraine.
"We are able to continue our support both to Ukraine, to Israel, and maintain our own global readiness," the official said.
Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis and seizing dozens of hostages.
The attack led Israel to declare war, and the spiralling violence threatens to start a major new conflict in the Middle East.
The senior US official compared the attack by Hamas to “ISIS-level savagery”, a characterisation echoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also said on Monday that Hamas’ attack mirrored those carried out by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
US President Joe Biden said at least 11 American citizens were among those killed
“I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence,” Mr Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
The senior US defence official said there was not yet any evidence seen by the US of Iran being behind the attack in Israel, following a report by The Wall Street Journal alleging that Iranian security officials helped to plan it.
“Of course, Iran is in the picture. Iran has provided support for years to Hamas and Hezbollah. But we have no information corroborating the specifics of The Wall Street Journal story at this time,” the official said.
REUTERS
