Pentagon Official Calls for Increased Aid to Israel as American Death Toll in Hamas Attacks Climbs to Nine

A senior Pentagon representative urged Congress on Monday to swiftly allocate additional funds to provide essential arms and ammunition to both Israel and Ukraine. This came as the U.S. State Department updated the confirmed count of American fatalities in recent attacks by Hamas in Israel to nine.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth stated that the focus is to “proactively support Israel,” particularly in the realm of munitions. She emphasized that supplementary funding is critical to enhance production capabilities and to finance the required ordnance.

The U.S. administration now finds itself contending with simultaneous requests for military support from both Israel and Ukraine. While there is robust bipartisan backing for assisting Israel, legislative actions are hampered due to the absence of a House Speaker following a recent ouster and the Senate being in recess until the following week.

The situation is further complicated by a faction of staunchly conservative Republicans opposing further aid to Ukraine, raising questions about the potential impact on financial assistance to Israel.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of the United States Army in Washington, Wormuth indicated that the administration is in the preliminary phase of assessing its capabilities to meet the needs of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). She did not disclose further details.

Much of the military aid already dispatched to Ukraine has been sourced from Army inventories and defense suppliers, putting a strain on the global supply chain. Despite increasing production rates for essential items like 155 mm ammunition for howitzers, full production capacity has yet to be reached.

Given the anticipated ground operation in Gaza after a surprise attack by Hamas last Saturday, Army officials expressed concern about the current capability to meet an upsurge in demand for ground munitions. They emphasized the urgency for Congressional action to facilitate timely assistance.

The State Department confirmed that in addition to the nine American citizens killed in the Hamas-led attacks in Israel, an unspecified number of Americans remain unaccounted for, with their status—dead, in hiding, or possibly taken hostage—yet to be clarified.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in over 1,100 fatalities and thousands of injuries on both sides. In response, the White House has requested expedited Senate confirmation for President Joe Biden’s nominee for the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, former Treasury Secretary and White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday the deployment of the Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean in a readiness posture to assist Israel. The naval group includes the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s most modern aircraft carrier, along with multiple cruisers and destroyers. The deployment aims to be prepared for a range of operations, from interdicting weapons shipments to Hamas to conducting surveillance missions.

This move aligns with U.S. objectives to prevent the conflict from escalating regionally. The Israeli government, however, has officially declared war and authorized “significant military steps” against Hamas.

Additional U.S. naval and air assets, including the cruisers USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, as well as Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter squadrons, are also being sent to the region.

Secretary Austin confirmed that Israel would soon receive “additional equipment and resources, including munitions,” with the first shipments expected in the coming days.

In a briefing to senators on Sunday evening, top officials from the Pentagon and State Department confirmed that Israel would receive all necessary support, a sentiment echoed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about U.S. Aid to Israel and Ukraine Amid Hamas Attacks

More about U.S. Aid to Israel and Ukraine Amid Hamas Attacks

• U.S. State Department’s Statement on American Casualties
• Association of the United States Army Annual Conference
• Congressional Record on Recent Funding Proposals
• Profile of Army Secretary Christine Wormuth
• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Official Announcement
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Remarks
• Information on USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group
• Bipartisan Support for Israel in Congress
• Opposition to Ukraine Aid Among Conservative Republicans
• Official Declaration of War by the Israeli Government