Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the U.S. Department of Defense’s plan on Saturday evening to further “bolster regional deterrence efforts” in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, reiterating the department’s defense of Israel.In a press release, the secretary said that the plan comes following “detailed discussions” with President Joe Biden. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps (out of frame) at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)The secretary said that USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which was recently moved to the Eastern Mediterranean following the unprecedented assault on Israel from Hamas terrorists.HAMAS RELEASES TWO AMERICAN HOSTAGES, A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, AS ISRAEL CONTINUE GAZA BOMBARDMENTSecretary Austin said that the warships will “further increase our force posture and strengthen our capabilities and ability to respond.”Austin said that the DOD has deployed their anti-ballistic missile defense system, called the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery, as well as additional Patriot battalions “throughout the region.” In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Strait of Gibraltar June 13, 2016, into the Mediterranean Sea. (Michael R. Gendron/U.S. Navy via Getty Images) US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives for a biefing for senators on the Israel-Hamas conflict at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on October 18, 2023. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)Without sharing an exact number, Austin said that he has an “additional number of forces on prepare to deploy,” to “increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required.”US NAVY MOVING WARSHIPS, AIRCRAFT CLOSER TO ISRAEL AMID HAMAS WAR”I will continue to assess our force posture requirements in the region and consider deploying additional capabilities as necessary,” the Defense Secretary concluded. A view of the Department of Defense at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on March 14, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)President Biden has aggressively affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of Hamas’ surprise attack.At least 5,600 people have been killed in the war on both sides, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 32 Americans. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims at least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and the West Bank and more than 13,162 wounded. At least 11 Americans are feared to be held captive by Hamas. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.
