US Military Aid Arrives in Israel, Biden Delivers Historic Support Speech

A plane carrying advanced US armaments landed overnight at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, as the country enters its 5th day of war following a brutal, surprise attack by the terrorist group Hamas on Saturday morning.

On this Wednesday morning, the Israeli death toll stands at over 1,200 – mostly innocent civilians, over 2,700 wounded, and an unknown number, estimated at 150-200, of kidnapped. Hundreds more still missing, their whereabouts and situation are unknown.

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group also arrives in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea with its 8 squadrons of attack and support aircraft, “in order to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war,” per CENTCOM’s announcement.

"The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation," said General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of the U.S. Central Command.

Kurilla’s statement corresponds with US President Joe Biden’s stark warning from last night, which he delivered during a passionate, empathetic, and heartfelt speech in support of Israel, already hailed across the country as historical.

“Let me say again — to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of this situation, I have one word: Don’t.  Don’t,” said Biden, in a crystal clear message to Iran and Hezbollah.

“In this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel! We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack.” said Biden in a ten-minute-long address that resonated throughout Israel.

With VP Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken (who will visit Israel on Thursday) standing behind him, Biden discussed at length the atrocities committed by Hamas, to which he referred as a terrorist organization, “a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews, ” whose brutality “brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS.”

"There are moments in this life when pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on the world. The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend," the president said.

He then went on to describe the incomprehensible reality in a poignant, steady manner, each and every word emphasized and gut-wrenching: slaughter, butchering, rape, massacre, babies being killed, entire families slain. 

“We’re going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens,” said the US President. “We’re surging additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome.”

Biden also noted that he spoke with the “leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK to discuss the latest developments with our European allies and coordinate our united response.” He also held his third conversation since Saturday with Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, just before his address.

NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, said in a press gaggle last night that  “We will have more assistance to announce over the coming days.” Replying to a journalist’s question, he noted that there is ‘no intention to put U.S. boots on the ground.”