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U.S. sends aircraft carrier group to eastern Mediterranean in response to Hamas attack on Israel

09 October 2023 08:27 (UTC +04:00)

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Sunday that he has ordered American military ships, including an aircraft carrier and additional aircraft, to move closer to the eastern Mediterranean in response to Hamas' attack on Israel, APA reports citing CBS News.

Several U.S. citizens were among those killed in the attacks, a National Security Council spokesperson confirmed after Austin's announcement.

"Today, in response to this Hamas attack on Israel, and following detailed discussions with President Biden, I have directed several steps to strengthen Department of Defense posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts," Austin said in a news release.

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group includes the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which is the largest warship in the world, in addition to the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy and four Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers — USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt.

The USS Gerald R. Ford was in the western Mediterranean when it received orders to deploy. Depending on its precise location, it could have to travel over a thousand miles.

Austin also announced steps to augment U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. USAF aircraft are going into bases in the Middle East where they will be available for operations against Iran.

The munitions the U.S. will be sending over are being airlifted.

Austin confirmed that the first movement of U.S. security aid to the IDF will begin moving Sunday and arrive in the coming days.