The US Navy is moving its warships and aircraft closer to Israel amid an unprecedented assault on the country from Hamas, a US military official told Fox News as US president Joe Biden affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself. Saturday’s surprise attack has so far killed at least 600 Israelis and wounded at least 2,000 more.

Joe Biden ordered “additional support” for Israel, the White House said, without giving further details.

The President directed additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas,” the White House said in a statement following high-level discussions between US and Israeli officials on military aid.

The White House said Joe Biden and US vice president Kamala Harris were briefed by national security officials on the situation in Israel and will continue to receive updates, the White House said.

White House officials will also remain in contact with Israelis and “counterparts throughout the region,” the statement added. This came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington is considering Israeli requests for additional military aid.