US deploys 2nd carrier to Mediterranean amid looming Israeli invasion
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Pentagon has sent a second carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea as Israel braces for a potential ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Saturday that the movements are “part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack on Israel.”
Hamas militants launched a series of sudden attacks against Israel on Oct. 7 along the border of the Gaza Strip, killing over 1,300 Israelis and capturing more than 100 hostages. In response, Israel has conducted intense retaliatory airstrikes and cut off water and power to the enclave.
The first carrier strike group, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Oct. 10 with the aim to prevent any third party actors from escalating the situation, the US Central Command said on the same day.
The US’ movements come amid talks about a potential involvement of Hezbollah and Iran in the Israel-Hamas war should Israel launch a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip.
The second carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is set to be joined by a guided-missile cruiser and two guided-missile destroyers, the Defense Secretary said.
On Friday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped leaflets on Gaza calling on residents to leave towards the south. “Civilians of Gaza city, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields,” the leaflets read.