The US commanded the aircraft carrier strike group Gerald R. Ford to sail to the eastern Mediterranean in an attempt to be closer to Israel after the attacks by Hamas, two US officials told The Associated Press on Sunday.

“The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and its fighter deck will be joined by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force intended to be ready to answer anythingfrom possibly banning additional weapons to Hamas to conducting a surveillance operation,” the Associated Press reported.

NBC News reported for its part that moving US Navy ships and fighter jets closer to Israel is a sign of support, while US forces work out plans to – without involvement – evacuation of US citizens from the area.

At the same time, the US starts sending extra ammunition to Israel, announced US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin, adding that the US military is in the process of strengthening its military presence in the Middle East.

The first package of military aid “will start leaving today and will arrive within the next few days”Austin said in a statement.