JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the United States for moving a aircraft carrier closer to Israel, saying it would carry out "serious killings" in Gaza.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US would move carrier combat groups, including the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) closer to Israel, a day after Hamas' attack on Israel.
"What will the US aircraft carriers do near Israel, why do they come? What will the ships around it and the planes on it do? They will hit Gaza and its surroundings, and take steps for serious massacres there," Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Ankara.
President Erdogan has previously said Turkey is ready to mediate between Israel and Palestine to ensure calm.
The Serang Group of Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) which was transferred to the eastern Mediterranean includes a guided-missile cruiser and four guided-missile destroyers.
Secretary Austin also said the United States had taken steps to add squadrons of US Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft in the region.
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"Real participation in aggression against our people," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem condemned Washington's announcement, saying the group would not be intimidated.
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