The U.S. Sixth Fleet announced that the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier and its group of ships have left the Mediterranean Sea via the Strait of Gibraltar, "after completing its mission to prevent escalation against Israel." The USS Gerald Ford arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean following the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The White House indicated that "its presence in the region aims to prevent third parties from expanding the escalation against Israel." The mentioned group of ships includes, in addition to the aircraft carrier, a guided missile cruiser and four missile-equipped ships.