National Security Council spokesman John F. Kirby told Newsmax that the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its strike group off Israel's coast are there for "deterrence."
Appearing Tuesday on "The Record with Greta Van Susteren," Kirby, a retired Navy rear admiral, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the move "to make it clear we have vital security interests in the region."
In addition to the Ford, the strike group includes the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Normandy, as well as the Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt.
"Anybody – any other nation, any other terrorist group, any other entity that wants to try to take advantage of this situation in Israel and escalate or expand the conflict – this is a message to them not to do it," Kirby said of the Ford's strike group.
Kirby shot down reports that the U.S. was also considering moving the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its strike group off the coast of Israel.
Defense officials told The Wall Street Journal that the Eisenhower and its group are currently on their way to the Middle East and should reach it in roughly two weeks.
"There are no plans right now for the Eisenhower to become the second carrier off the coast of – operating in the Eastern Mediterranean," Kirby insisted. "I think that's been a little bit of a garble in some of the press reporting."
"Obviously, if things change, we'll certainly talk about that," he continued. "But right now, it's really just the USS Gerald R. Ford and her strike group off the coast of Israel right now in the Eastern Mediterranean."
Later in the segment, Kirby confirmed that the Biden administration was still unsure of the number of United States nationals taken hostage by Hamas and warned that any potential rescue missions could be risky.
"The possibility that there are additional Americans being held hostage is very real," Kirby explained. "So, right now, we know of a very small number – a handful – but that number could rise."
The U.S. response to assisting Israel after the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas killed over 1,200 civilians and law enforcement personnel in the country over the weekend will also likely include aid.
President Joe Biden pledged as much on Tuesday, revealing that he will ask Congress "to take urgent action" to support Israel militarily.
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Luca Cacciatore ✉
Luca Cacciatore, a Newsmax general assignment writer, is based in Arlington, Virginia, reporting on news and politics.
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