The U.S. is sending a second aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, to the eastern Mediterranean "to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
The Eisenhower, accompanied by aircraft, a guided-missile cruiser and two guided-missile destroyers, will join the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, which arrived in the region earlier this week, Austin said in a statement.
The deployments are meant to dissuade others, particularly Lebanon-based Hezbollah, from joining the conflict, officials have said.
Persons:
Dwight D, Eisenhower, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Austin
Organizations:
Ford
Locations:
Israel, Lebanon