Kathmandu, Oct 9: The United States is sending an aircraft carrier, ships, jets, and additional equipment to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel in response to an attack by Hamas on southern Israel. President Biden called the attack “unprecedented and appalling.” Some US citizens were among the casualties.

Israel reports over 700 people killed and 100 kidnapped, while in Gaza, more than 400 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes, according to Palestinian officials.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, a missile cruiser, four missile destroyers, and fighter jets are being deployed to the region. The US will also provide more military aid to Israel in the coming days to prevent Israel’s enemies from taking advantage of the situation.

The US is concerned that the conflict could draw in other parts of the region, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah, backed by Iran, which also supports Hamas. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi expressed support for the Hamas attack and accused Israel of endangering the region.

While the US has not seen direct evidence of Iranian involvement in the attack, Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged Iran’s long-standing support for Hamas.

Several people, including Americans, are reported missing, with concerns for their safety. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza.

The US provides substantial military aid to Israel, its close ally, each year, making it the largest recipient of US foreign aid since World War II.