Israel-Hamas conflict: US sends second aircraft carrier strike group to 'deter hostile actions' against Israel
Israel-Hamas conflict: An effort towards widening war against Hamas and extending help to Israel, the United States sent a second aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean to deter the "hostile actions" against Israel.
The Strike Group includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Mason (DDG 87), and Carrier Air Wing 3, with nine aircraft squadrons, and embarked headquarters staffs.
????NORFOLK, Va. - The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) departed today on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, where it will engage with allies and partners in support of maritime statecraft.
MORE: https://t.co/JZOg7D1YKd pic.twitter.com/WO8Ak0t91U — U.S. Fleet Forces (@USFleetForces) October 14, 2023
The Eisenhower CSG soon to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. The Ford CSG includes the USS Normandy, USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt.
Earlier also, US Air Force announced the deployment of squadrons of F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter aircraft to the region.
"The increases to US force posture signal the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war," Austin stated.
According to the US Navy, the strike group is scheduled to deploy to the US European Command area of responsibility where it will engage with allies and partners in support of maritime statecraft, which encompasses naval diplomacy and national efforts to build comprehensive US and allied maritime power.
Lloyd Austin was the second high-level US official sent by President Joe Biden to visit Israel in two days amid the Israel-Hamas war.
He stated that the US will continue to coordinate with Israel to help secure the release of hostages from the clutches of Hamas, including American citizens.
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Earlier on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel and met PM Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Blinken emphasised the importance of preventing any further fronts in the ongoing conflict and warned against any attempts by state or non-state actors to exploit the situation.
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Notably, the overall death toll of the conflict has more than doubled from more than 1,200 to over 3,200 now. Meanwhile, Israel ordered 1 million people in the north of Gaza to evacuate to the southern part of the territory.
- With inputs from agencies
