In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier strike group from the US Navy has recently reached the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, as confirmed by the US Central Command in an official press release.

According to the official release, the area now houses a formidable American military presence. This includes the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), a US Navy aircraft carrier equipped with 8 squadrons of attack and support aircraft. Alongside the aircraft carrier the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) is stationed along with several Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, namely the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). These assets have been strategically positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, signifying a robust American military presence in the region.

In a clear demonstration of unwavering support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, the United States has bolstered its military presence by deploying U.S. Air Force fighter jets, which include F-15s, F-16s, and A-10s, to reinforce the existing fighter squadrons in the area.

“The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation,” said General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command, read the press release.

On October 8, the US Defense Secretary conveyed the following message in an official press release from the US Department of Defense, , “I have directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). We have also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region. The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required.”

The US Defense Secretary, while addressing the recent Hamas terror attack on Israel, expressed strong condemnation. He emphasized his ongoing communication with his Israeli counterpart and pledged unwavering support in the efforts to safeguard the lives of Israeli citizens.

He added, “Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the material support that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscores the United States’ ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people. My team and I will continue to be in close contact with our Israeli counterparts to ensure they have what they need to protect their citizens and defend themselves against these heinous terrorist attacks.”

Ongoing air raids have killed over 770 Palestinians. The Israel Defense Forces have struck the Al-Furqan neighborhood, a known Hamas hotspot, three times in 24 hours. The IDF views Al Furkan as a key base for Hamas activities against Israel. The first U.S. arms shipment has arrived at the Nevatim Airbase, emphasizing military cooperation for regional security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has compared Hamas to ISIS, advocating a similar approach to both.

“We were attacked on Saturday with such barbarism that has not been seen since the Holocaust. Hundreds of people were slaughtered, entire families were murdered in their beds and homes, women were brutally raped and murdered; More than a hundred were kidnapped, including children” said the Israeli Prime Minister in a post on X.

“The scale of this evil has only grown. They forced dozens of children, burned them, and executed them. They cut off the heads of soldiers, they murdered the young people who were celebrating at a festival in the wild, they surrounded them with jeeps, and shot them into a hole in the ground. We have not seen such barbarism in the entire history of the State of Israel. They are even worse than Daesh (ISIS)- and that’s how we should treat them” Netanyahu said.

Image source: ANI