US deploys naval forces and fighter jets to stop Iran, Hezbollah from aiding Gaza
U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, has dispatched an extra aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This move gears up defense against potential threats, mainly from Iran and its allies, amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The United States has escalated its military presence in the Middle East, intending to discourage a wider war escalation and potential threats to American interests. The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, has commanded an additional aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to equip the infrastructures against any hostile actions, mostly from Iran and its affiliates, especially as the Israel-Hamas conflict looms.
The Ramp-Up: A Strategy to Deter Wider Conflict
As reported by The New York Times, the U.S. is boosting its military presence to discourage Iran, Syria, or any Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah, from engaging in the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. Fears of the US being dragged into the conflict have led to the augmenting of land-based attack planes in the Persian Gulf region.
The New York Times reports, “The US Air Force is sending additional land-based attack planes to the Persian Gulf region which means the number of F-16, A-10 and F-15E squadrons on the ground will likely increase”.
The Intelligence and Rescue Operations
Another key strategy is the movement of a small Special Operations team to Israel to help with intelligence and plan operations. One of their primary missions is to locate and rescue 150 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Among the hostages are Americans.
American Response to Threats
In response to missile strikes carried out against US army personnel by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, the US has responded with an airstrike approved by President Biden, targeting terrorist strongholds linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
“President Biden took the step to reassure Israelis of American commitment to their security and to demonstrate resolve to Hamas and Israel’s other adversaries in West Asia,” remarks from the Defense Secretary.
In addition to the defense support, the U.S. has provided Israel with interceptors for its Iron Dome missile defense system and multiple “small-diameter bombs” designed to reduce civilian casualties in densely populated areas like Gaza City.
The latest deployment adds a second aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Eisenhower, to the eastern Mediterranean. This move has doubled the U.S. naval presence in the region and signals Washington’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.
US. Calls for De-Escalation
In light of the increasing conflict, the United States has urged other countries to prevent further escalation of the situation. President Joe Biden has reiterated U.S. support for efforts to protect civilians amidst the Israeli siege and bombing of Gaza in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“President Biden affirmed his support for all efforts to protect civilians,” the White House stated regarding the call.
President Biden also spoke with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas, denouncing the “brutal attack on Israel” by Hamas.
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