"US Defense Secretary's Surprise Visit to USS Gerald R Ford: Strengthening Israel's Defense"

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which has been stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a wider regional war. Austin urged Israel to shift its bombardment of Gaza to a more limited campaign and address the dire humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians. Concerns remain that Israel may launch a military operation along its northern border with Lebanon, potentially widening the conflict. Austin thanked the sailors for their sacrifice and discussed the dangers in the region. He also announced a new international maritime mission to protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea.