The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is expected to arrive off Israel’s coast and dock in Haifa on Monday, the latest addition to US reinforcements in the Middle East as Jerusalem and Washington gear up for a potential war against Iran.
As part of the reinforcements, US tankers, as well as cargo and refueling aircraft, have arrived at Israeli airports and docks.
The Ford carrier strike group, officially known as Carrier Strike Group 12, entered the Mediterranean after transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, a movement reported by multiple outlets tracking US naval deployments. The US Navy has not formally confirmed when the carrier will dock.
Haifa suffered significant damage during the Israel-Iran war in June, with dozens injured from missile fire and structural damage to homes and municipality buildings.
Haifa is home to the Israel Navy headquarters and the largest oil refinery in Israel, which was hit during the war, forcing a partial, temporary shutdown of some secondary facilities.
Another major target during the war was the Haifa port, which Iran has previously threatened to strike.
Boosting personnel in Israel while evacuating non-essential workers
The US has spent several weeks growing its Middle Eastern arsenal, despite already having a large presence in the region.
More than 40,000 personnel are stationed across military bases and naval assets, and with Ford’s arrival, several thousand more service members will be added to that total.
In addition to boosting its presence in Israel, the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday evacuated dozens of non-essential personnel via Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport.
This was "a precautionary measure due to anticipated regional developments," as first reported by Lebanese broadcaster LBCI and later confirmed by the US State Department.
James Genn contributed to this report.