The first carrier strike group, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived off the coast of Israel last week. Austin's order came on the heels of the Navy destroyer Carney's interception of cruise missiles and drones launched by Iran-allied Houthi rebel forces in Yemen and drone attacks against U.S. troops elsewhere in the region.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group includes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea; and the guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason.
The U.S. Air Force has also deployed additional squadrons of F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter aircraft to the region. Additionally, the 2,000 troops of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, originally assigned to Kuwait for exercise, were transferred to the region.
"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 stated.
The groups only seek to "deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas' attack on Israel." Their presence is only intended to act as a deterrent – meaning, they will not engage in direct combat activities on behalf of Israel.
"These posture increases were intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration in deed and not only in words of U.S. support for Israel's defense and serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and any other proxy across the region who might be considering exploiting the current situation to escalate [the] conflict," a senior U.S. defense official explained.
Biden calls Israel and Palestine leaders to offer humanitarian aid
President Joe Biden has called both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas to offer humanitarian aid. (Related: PROXY WAR: Biden’s $235M funding of Palestine in 2021 contributed to Hamas’ violent attacks on Israel.)
In the phone call with Netanyahu, Biden "affirmed his support for all efforts to protect civilians." Meaning, the U.S. will continue to support the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) with intelligence and operational planning.
Meanwhile, in his conversation with Abbas, Biden condemned Hamas' brutal attack on Israel. "Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination," Biden told Abbas.
But Biden still offered Abbas his full support for "urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian people, especially in Gaza."
"President Biden detailed U.S. efforts to coordinate with partners to prevent the conflict from widening, and the two leaders discussed the need to preserve stability in the West Bank and the broader region," the White House said.
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