US sending 2nd strike team to Eastern Mediterranean

The U.S. is sending a second carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to deter foreign aggressors from intervening in the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a sign that Washington is growing increasingly concerned about the conflict escalating.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a Saturday statement he is deploying the USS Eisenhower strike team to the region to join the first group headed by the USS Ford.

“The increases to U.S. 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 said.

The USS Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier, is joined by a guided-missile cruiser, the USS Philippine Sea, along with the guided-missile destroyers USS Gravel and USS Mason, and nine aircraft squadrons.

The USS Ford aircraft carrier, which arrived in the region earlier this week, includes eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft, as well as the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy; and the Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt.

The U.S. has also moved F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter aircraft into the region to bolster its presence.

The news comes as Israel is gearing up for a major offensive against Hamas in Gaza after the militant group launched a deadly attack against the Israeli people last week.

President Biden has vowed unwavering support for Israel in the wake of the violence and is surging air defense munitions to the embattled country.

Austin, who traveled to Israel on Friday, called his counterpart in Israel on Saturday to discuss the war and underscored his commitment to adhering to the law of war and protecting civilians.

The U.S. has warned Iran, which funds Hamas, against getting involved. Israel has been trading constant fire with Hezbollah, another Iran-funded group in nearby Lebanon, and there are real fears the militant group may get involved once Israeli troops enter Gaza.