US President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that additional US military aid is "on its way" to Israel in response to attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on the Middle Eastern country.

The White House says the leaders spoke by phone on Sunday. Biden briefed Netanyahu that additional assistance for the Israel Defense Forces "is now on its way to Israel with more to follow over the coming days."

Biden "pledged his full support for the Government and people of Israel," emphasizing that "there is no justification whatsoever for terrorism, and all countries must stand united in the face of such brutal atrocities."

The leaders also discussed the taking of hostages by Hamas fighters.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Sunday that the US government "will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions."

He said he directed the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to move to the Eastern Mediterranean. The US Navy's state-of-the-art aircraft carrier will now move to the sea area that is close to Israel.

Austin said the Pentagon has also taken steps to augment US Air Force fighter aircraft squadrons in the Middle East. He added that "the US maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required."

The Wall Street Journal, a major US newspaper, quotes a US official as saying the military moves also are intended to deter Iran from taking advantage of the uncertainty in the region.