U.S. military continues build-up in Middle East amid Israel-Hamas war

An aerial view of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower together in eastern Mediterranean on November 03, 2023. (Photo by U.S.Navy Janae Chambers/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

As the war between Hamas terrorists and Israel enters its second month, the U.S. military has sent or redirected at least 17,350 military personnel to the region.

At least 1,200 troops have been deployed. Additionally, both carrier strike groups that were sent to the Eastern Mediterranean - the USS Gerald Ford and USS Eisenhower - carry around 6,000 personnel each.

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group includes around 4,000 sailors and marines, while the Ohio-class submarine that recently entered CENTCOM's area of responsibility has a crew of around 150.

The U.S. military has also sent a variety of aircraft to the region, including F-35s, F-15s, F-16s, A-10s and F-18s.