Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and another warship to remain in the Mediterranean Sea for several more weeks to maintain a two-carrier presence near Israel as its war with Hamas grinds on, U.S. officials said.
The extension of the USS Gerald R. Ford’s deployment marks the third time it has been prolonged amid ongoing concerns about regional volatility during Israel’s conflict with Gaza. The U.S. currently maintains two aircraft carriers in the region, an uncommon occurrence in recent years. This week, the extensions for the Ford and the USS Normandy cruiser were approved, according to multiple anonymous U.S. officials. Other ships within the Ford’s strike group had previously received prolonged deployments.
The increased U.S. military presence aims to deter Iranian involvement in the conflict and prevent its escalation. Despite these efforts, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have disrupted the Red Sea through escalating drone attacks on container ships. As of Friday, there are 19 U.S. warships in the region, with seven in the eastern Mediterranean and 12 spanning the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf.
A tragic incident unfolded on Friday as a cameraman for Al Jazeera television, Samer Abu Daqqa, lost his life in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Wael Dahdouh, the Gaza chief correspondent for the Qatari-owned news channel, was also wounded in the attack. The journalists were reporting on Israeli airstrikes in the city of Khan Younis when they were reportedly hit by the airstrike. Defense Secretary Lloyd
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed deep sadness and concern over the drone attack that resulted in the death of Samer Abu Daqqa and the injury of Wael Dahdouh. The CPJ called for an independent investigation into the attack and urged international authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, conveyed the Biden administration’s deepest sympathies and condolences to Abu Daqqa’s family. He emphasized the importance of journalists having the freedom to cover conflicts globally and condemned any deliberate targeting of journalists as they carry out their vital and dangerous work.
The incident highlights the risks journalists face in conflict zones and the broader concern for press freedom during times of conflict.