(Dan Tri) – The US bringing an aircraft carrier battle group close to Israel is said to show Washington’s commitment to supporting its allies in the region.
Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world (Photo: AP).
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on October 8 that he had ordered the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean to be ready to support Israel after the attack by Hamas forces that killed more than 100 million people.
USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, with about 5,000 sailors and many fighter aircraft will be escorted by cruisers and destroyers in a demonstration operation.
In addition, Mr. Austin said the US has also taken steps to strengthen the Air Force’s F-35, F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
According to AP, this large-scale deployment of forces reflects the US’s desire to prevent any expansion of conflicts in the region.
In addition to deploying warships, President Joe Biden’s administration `also quickly provided the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including ammunition.`
Retired US Army General Barry McCaffrey said that the US may intervene directly with air and naval strikes if Israel’s existence is threatened.
`They weren’t there just for a show of force or to evacuate,` Gen. McCaffrey, who served in the Gulf War and led South American Command from 1994 to 1996, told MSNBC.
`What I want to say is that if Israel’s existence is threatened, if the Syrian army intervenes, if Hezbollah begins to overwhelm Israel, in my assessment, at that point, we will consider intervening.
However, according to Mr. McCaffrey, it is unlikely that the US will send troops to Israel, considering the capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces.
When asked whether other allies of the US and Israel would intervene in the conflict, Mr. McCaffrey said that it was too early to discuss such an issue when only Hamas forces were currently directly involved.
`I think the deterrence element is what the Biden administration is pursuing. They want to make sure that Syrian forces and Hezbollah do not get involved in this conflict. If they do, it will be a living threat.`
In an effort to prevent conflict from escalating, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates on October 8.
In the US House of Representatives, leaders of the Foreign Affairs Committee are preparing a bipartisan resolution to affirm that they `stand with Israel` and condemn `Hamas’ war`.
