Here's the military support the US is sending toward Israel, from US Navy ships to munitions
The US is sending munitions, aircraft carriers, and fighter jets toward Israel after the Hamas attacks.
The aid package includes the newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.
Specific munitions are uncertain, but Israel needs weapons for their Iron Dome defense system.
After the surprise attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas over the weekend, the US has been swift in its response and providing aid.
On October 7, Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and abducting others. Israel responded with a series of airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip.
Some 1,000 Israelis had been killed as of Tuesday, with another 3,400 injured, Israel's embassy in the US said. Gaza's health ministry reported at least 830 Palestinians had been killed, with at least 4,250 injured.
The US contributes $3 billion annually to its ally in the Middle East and will bolster that support by sending additional munitions and redirecting fighter jets and aircraft carriers toward Israel. Most notably, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the newest US aircraft carrier, is being directed from its station in the Mediterranean toward Israel.
Here's what the US is providing to and around Israel amid the conflict.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier to date.
The supercarrier, out on its first full deployment, is now moving toward Israel as a show of support from the US, as Insider previously reported.
Included in the USS Gerald R. Ford strike force are a number of other cruisers and destroyers.
The USS Normandy, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.
The USS Normandy can fire missiles to strike land targets or fire missiles to defend against aircraft or incoming missiles.
The USS Thomas Hudner, one of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers in the fleet.
The USS Thomas Hudner provides both offensive and defensive capabilities and can act independently or as part of a larger strike force.
The USS Ramage, another Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.
The USS Ramage similarly provides offensive and defensive capabilities for the strike force.
The US Navy destroyer USS Carney.
The USS Carney is another Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and was first launched in 1994. The ship has since been upgraded in 2009 and 2016, where it received a new cannon and missile launcher.
The USS Roosevelt, designed to operate independently in a high-density, multi-threat environment.
The USS Roosevelt is the fourth Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the fleet.
Several F-35 fighter jets, considered to be the most advanced fighter jet in the world.
The US is also augmenting several of its Air Force operations in the region, including F-35 fighter jets.
The US is deploying several of the stealth fighters to help deter Iran, a regional adversary that backs Hamas and Hezbollah.
Insider previously reported about 20-25 fighters would head to the region and be tasked with deterring the expansion of the war and preventing potential Iranian aggression.
Several F-15 fighter jets.
F-15s are extremely maneuverable, tactical fighters designed to give the Air Force an upper hand in air-to-air combat.
Several F-16 fighter jets, designed for both air-to-air combat as well as air-to-ground combat.
The F-16 is a versatile and lightweight fighter.
Several A-10 fighter jets, designed to provide close air support to ground forces.
They're designed to be used against maritime attacks and ground targets such as tanks and other armored vehicles.
Israel reportedly requested interceptors and precision-guided munitions.
The specific munition being sent to Israel is unclear, but Israel may have requested interceptors and precision-guided munitions. The interceptors contribute to Israel's Iron Dome defense system, which targets rockets in flight.
Al Jazeera reported that $2 billion worth of US munitions had been pre-supplied to be used in case of emergencies in Israel.
Correction: October 11, 2023 — An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the source of the Israeli death and injury estimates. The Israeli Embassy in Washington provided the death estimate, and the Israeli health ministry, which is not in Washington, provided the injury estimate. The story was updated with the embassy's Tuesday estimates for those killed and injured.
Read the original article on Business Insider