US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of a second aircraft carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip and signs that the Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave.
Battleships of the United States does not intend to participate in Israeli military operations its presence seeks to send a message of restraint to Iran and groups such as the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah, with the aim of preventing them from taking advantage of the situation to attack the Jewish State.
Specifically, in a statement, Austin explained that the deployment of this second aircraft carrier group was made as part of Washington’s efforts to “discourage actions against Israel or any attempt to expand this war after the Hamas attack on Israel.
It will be led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
This second group of aircraft carriers will be led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a sophisticated nuclear-powered ship with participated in US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The first group of warships sent by the United States to the region, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived this week in waters near Israel.
In addition, the United States has strengthened its military presence in the region by deploying combat aircraftincluding sophisticated F-35 and F-15.
On Saturday, October 7, Hamas attacked several Israeli cities, to which Israel responded by declaring a state of war and bombing the Gaza Strip, representing the worst escalation in decades of conflict with Israel- Palestinians.
According to the latest data provided on Saturday by the State Department, 29 US citizens died in the attacks. It was not determined whether the victims died as a result of Hamas or Israeli attacks. In addition, according to the State Department, 15 American citizens are missing, as well as one permanent resident, some of whom are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas.
