U.S. Continues Munitions Delivery to Israel as Thousands Die in Gaza Bombings

Armaments and military supplies are still being sent to Israel as it grapples with Hamas offensives, all while Gaza witnesses a mounting death toll.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced today that it has executed five separate C-17 Globemaster III missions, delivering essential assistance, including munitions, to support Israel during this tumultuous period.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized the ongoing nature of these deliveries, confirming that more are expected in the coming days.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered the deployment of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the region. This decision follows his earlier directive to deploy the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean last week. These deployments complement the previously announced arrival of Air Force F-15 and F-16 fighter squadrons and A-10 attack squadrons in the region.

Sabrina Singh outlined the Department's three primary objectives: supporting Israel's defense through security assistance, sending a robust deterrent signal to potential actors, and remaining vigilant to protect U.S. forces.

"The 26th MEU is an adaptable military force equipped for amphibious missions, crisis response, and limited contingency operations across various military scenarios," Singh explained. She further noted that approximately 2,000 personnel across different units have been placed on high readiness status to enhance the Department's responsiveness in the Middle East, offering critical capabilities spanning transportation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. However, no deployment decisions have been made at this time.

Secretary Austin has been actively engaged with Israeli leadership since his visit to Tel Aviv, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and members of the Israeli War Cabinet. This ongoing dialogue aims to ensure Israel has the support it needs to defend itself against further attacks.

Addressing the recent violence, Austin strongly condemned the "bloodthirsty, fanatical, and hateful" attacks by Hamas terrorists, referring to the recent hospital blast in Gaza, which claimed the lives of around 500 people. He stated, "The world has just witnessed a great evil: the deadliest attack on civilians in the history of the state of Israel and the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust."

He reassured that U.S. support for Israel remains "non-negotiable," and additional security assistance will continue to be delivered swiftly.

The Gaza health ministry stated on Monday that the death toll from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to approximately 2,750.

In the midst of these developments, a tragic event unfolded a couple of hours ago as approximately 500 lives were lost in a Gaza hospital blast. Accusations flew between Hamas, blaming Israel for an airstrike, and Israel, asserting that it was a failed missile attack by Palestinian militants. Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, strongly disputed the claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.