The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to "deter any actor" looking to widen the conflict following the escalation in the Palestinian territories, the Pentagon announced.

The forces include the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford; its eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft; the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy; and the Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt, according to a Pentagon statement.

Meanwhile, aircraft carrier the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has moved and is expected to arrive in the eastern Mediterranean and join the USS Gerald R. Ford in two weeks, according to Alhurra TV Channel.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group would be sent to the region to strengthen regional deterrence.

The latest toll from the ongoing Israeli occupation aggression on Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank since Saturday reached 922 martyrs and 4,650 wounded, before the announcement of the martyrdom of 31 more Palestinians at dawn today, following massive air raids on Gaza Strip.

Source: Qatar News Agency