The US pledged to send more weapons to Israel yesterday in advance of an expected ground assault in Gaza against Hamas, amid UN warnings that food and water supplies were running dangerously low in the blockaded enclave.
As America’s top diplomat flew into Israel following Saturday’s cross border assault by Hamas, the UK also announced it would send two warships and begin surveillance flights in its own show of support.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, pledged his country’s support for Israel “today, tomorrow, every day”. He told the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on a visit to the region that Israel “may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself, but as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to – we will always be there by your side.”
The declaration of solidarity came as Israeli troop numbers continued to increase close to Gaza . Intense bombing of the narrow territory, which is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, continued for a sixth day , amid concerns about a growing humanitarian crisis.
Israel declared war on Hamas on Saturday after hundreds of Islamic militants broke through the Gaza security fence to massacre some 1,300 people in Israel, including children. Gunmen seized 150 people, who are being held hostage in Gaza.
The death toll in Gaza rose above 1,400, including 447 children and 248 women, Gaza’s health ministry said, as Israel strikes continued to pound buildings and neighbourhoods.
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