The United States has deployed an assault ship and Marines to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as tensions rise between Israel and Hezbollah, fueling concerns about an imminent war. While clashes between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah have been a near-daily occurrence since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, the fighting has intensified significantly in recent weeks, prompting fears of a full-scale conflict. Thousands of Israelis in the north of the country, bordering Lebanon, have been displaced for months due to Hezbollah’s continued attacks in the region.
According to UPI, the US has deployed the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, along with its onboard Marines, to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The USS Wasp joins the USS Oak Hill and USS New York, forming the Amphibious Ready Group. This deployment is not only a show of force to deter escalation from hostile actors but also serves as a potential evacuation force for Americans in the event of an Israel-Hezbollah war. The group comprises around 2,000 soldiers trained for various missions, including special operations like evacuations from conflict zones.
“Each of our ships is capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations on their own, but there is no substitute for the type of combat power we bring to the fight when we constitute as an Amphibious Ready Group,” said Captain Nakia Cooper, Commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4, as per the agency.
If full-scale hostilities erupt between Israel and Hezbollah, the amphibious battle group will be deployed to evacuate American citizens from the conflict zone, according to NBC News. The report further highlights that the United States is engaging in discussions with allies to coordinate evacuation efforts and potential joint military operations.
Hezbollah, an Iran-sponsored group, holds significant influence in Lebanon and controls large swathes of the country. It is the largest group in the region and forms part of the Iran-sponsored ‘Axis of Resistance’, which includes Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Yemen-based Houthis, and other groups opposed to the existence of Israel, committed to its destruction.
Recently, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visited the United States to discuss a potential war with Hezbollah. The prospect of a war with Hezbollah while Israel remains engaged in fighting in the Gaza Strip poses a significant challenge, potentially leading to a two-front war. Hezbollah is widely considered the most powerful armed group in the region. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that Hezbollah possesses up to 150,000 missiles and rockets, with approximately 45,000 fighters under its command.
