PRESIDENT Joe Biden is set to fly into Israel with a powerful arsenal close at hand as the war against Hamas deepens.
The high-stakes visit aims to show support for Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “exterminate the bloody monsters” who unleashed hell on his country.
The United States holds a powerful arsenal close at hand as the war between Israel and Hamas deepens
APPresident Joe Biden is set to visit Israel and show support for the country[/caption]
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Biden will “hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people”.
Blinken added that the President will learn how Israel will operate in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance in Gaza without benefiting Hamas.
Meanwhile, the American military is increasing its firepower in the region, looking to prevent Iran and other Iran-backed groups from getting involved in the conflict.
The US empire of steel includes a network of bases in the Middle East with 2,000 troops, 2,400 Marines, and 13 warships now on alert.
A few A-10 Warthog and F-15Es attack planes arrived in the region last week, with more advanced military aircraft expected to join.
The Pentagon is also rushing air defences and munitions to Israel, as well as an aircraft carrier monster fleet to the eastern Mediterranean, Reuters reports.
Another carrier is also set to be sent to the region in the coming days.
The United States has also told some 2,000 troops to be ready to deploy within 24 hours if notified – instead of the usual 96 hours – and could include units that provide assistance like medical aid if needed, a US official said on Monday.
Washington says the moves are meant as a deterrent, not a provocation.
In a “60 Minutes” interview aired on Sunday, President Biden dismissed the idea that the US could not simultaneously support both wars in Israel and Ukraine.
“We’re the United States of America for God’s sake, the most powerful nation in the history — not in the world, in the history of the world,” Biden said.
“We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defense.”
On Tuesday, top Army General Michael “Erik” Kurilla made an unannounced trip to Israel saying he hoped to ensure its military “has what it needs”.
He is the latest senior official to land in the war-stricken country ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel’s military in Gaza.
“I’m here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict,” Kurilla said.
The US is also trying to rally Arab states to help head off a wider regional war after Iran threatened to take “pre-emptive action” against Israel.
On Tuesday, Hamas released a sickening video of a wounded Israeli hostage after she was snatched from the Supernova music festival in Israel.
Mia Shem, 21, was shown pleading to be released whilst in captivity, and her mum has now begged the world “help bring my baby home”.
Speaking at a press conference in Tel Aviv this morning, Mia’s devastated mother Keren broke down while holding up a photo of her stolen daughter.
“I beg the world to return my baby to me,” she said, after French President Emmanuel Macron demanded Mia’s immediate and unconditional release.
“I’m begging the world to bring my baby back home. She only went to a party, to a festival to have some fun. And now she’s in Gaza, and she’s not the only one.
“This is a crime against humanity. We should all gather and stop this terror and bring everybody back home,” she said.
Elsewhere in the warzone, a British teenager has been confirmed dead after Hamas terrorists stormed her home while her sister is feared to have been kidnapped.
Yahel, 13, and her sister Noiya, 16, disappeared during the militants’ horrifying day-long rampage through Kibbutz Be’eri – just 4km from the Gaza border.
PolarisThe US told some 2,000 troops to be ready to deploy within 24 hours if notified[/caption]
GettyDozens of warplanes are also set to arrive in the Middle East[/caption]
U.S. Navy / PolarisThe US Navy owns a massive ‘Western Armada’ of warships[/caption]
AFPAnother carrier is also set to be sent to the region in the coming days[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
