The Department of Defense announced it is launching a new plan that will allow "increased force posture" and will "boost regional deterrence efforts" in response to Israel's war caused by the terrorist group Hamas' attack on Israeli citizens.
In a press release, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated the nation's support for Israel's defense and revealed that the plan emerged after "detailed discussions" with President Joe Biden. Several things will be done to provide support to Israel. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has placed an "additional number of forces on prepare to deploy orders" in order "to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required."
Before the plan was announced, the secretary announced on his official X account, formerly Twitter, that he had met with his Israeli counterpart to reiterate the nation's support for "Israel's self-defense." reaffirm the country's commitment to "deterring any state or non-state actors seeking to escalate the conflict":
I spoke today with Israeli Defense Minister Gallant today discuss updates on Israel's operations to restore security after Hamas' terrorist attacks, and I reiterated U.S. support for Israel's self-defense and our commitment to deter any state or non-state actors seeking to escalate the conflict.
I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Gallant today to discuss updates on Israel's operations to restore security after Hamas' terrorist attacks, and I reiterated U.S. support for Israel's self defense and our commitment to deterring any state or non-state actors seeking to…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 21, 2023
To offer greater support, the secretary indicated that he redirected "the movement of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Central Command area of responsibility" and announced that this aircraft carrier strike group is joining the "USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea."
Austin announced that he also activated a "deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations across the region to increase protection for U.S. forces."
The secretary assured that sending American ships and equipment "will further increase our force posture and strengthen our capabilities and ability to respond" and concluded by saying that he will continue to "assess our force posture requirements in the region and consider deploying additional capabilities as necessary."
