The Pentagon ordered the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier group to move to the eastern Mediterranean, joining the USS Gerald R. Ford to offer security to Israel as it retaliates against Hamas for a deadly terrorist attack launched from Gaza, ABC News reports. The Biden Administration also wants to dissuade Iran and Hezbollah from any action to support Hamas.
The Eisenhower set sail from Norfolk on a previously scheduled deployment that would take it into the Mediterranean and through the Suez Canal to participate in operations in the Persian Gulf. It will now linger in the eastern Mediterranean until further notice. The Pentagon is also considering moving the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship to the region to support potential operations.