The US military has deployed a vast array of firepower into the Middle East as part of ongoing efforts to help defend its ally Israel and to deter malign actors in the region from further escalating the conflict.

The Pentagon on October 17 ordered the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to prepare for deployment to the Middle East as a show of force as Israel's war on Palestinian militant group Hamas intensifies.

The 26th MEU is set to move into the region to further signal the United States' commitment to ensuring Israel's security and deter any state or non-state actor from seeking to escalate the war, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The Pentagon "remains focused on three objectives: supporting Israel's defense through security assistance, sending a strong signal of deterrence to any actors who might be thinking of entering the conflict and staying vigilant to any threats to US forces," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment would allow the United States "to respond more quickly" to the crisis, while the White House stressed it did not intend to put US combat forces on the ground.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said preparing the 26th MEU for deployment "is really about sending a signal of deterrence."

"We don't want to see this conflict escalate and widen," Kirby said on CNN. "There are no plans or intentions to put US boots on the ground in combat in Israel."

Israel declared war on Hamas after the Islamist group's fighters broke through the heavily fortified Gaza border on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, and taking many hostages.

The 26th MEU is designated as "special operations-capable" (SOC), which means it is capable of specialized tasks and working alongside other special operations forces.

Designed to be versatile and quick to respond, an MEU usually has 2,200 Marines and includes a battalion landing team, composite helicopter squadron and combat logistic battalion.

The three-ship Bataan Amphibious Ready Group -- which includes the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship, the USS Mesa Verde amphibious transport dock and the USS Carter Hall dock landing ship -- is tasked with transporting the 26th MEU.

'Ironclad commitment'

The latest deployment comes after the United States last Saturday sent a second aircraft carrier to the region, the first time in recent memory two US aircraft carriers have operated in the same area.

The presence of the USS Eisenhower and its affiliated warships in the eastern Mediterranean signals Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security and our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war," Austin said in an earlier statement.

The Eisenhower joins the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which arrived earlier on October 10, "as part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas's attack," Austin said.

The Ford CSG itself is a lethal combat force capable of overwhelming and defeating adversaries, including by delivering hundreds of missiles using aircraft, ships and submarines.

It is comprised of its flagship and namesake, the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2) and assigned destroyers, and USS Normandy (CG-60).

USS Normandy is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) are deployed alongside the Ford.

The carrier can carry up to 90 aircraft, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35C Lightning II, SH-60 Seahawk helicopters and unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

The US military also has completed five separate C-17 missions to deliver assistance, including munitions, to meet Israel's needs in the wake of the deadly attacks by Hamas terrorists, Singh said October 17, adding that she expected subsequent deliveries to continue.

Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, leader of US Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Israel on October 16 for high-level meetings with its military leadership to gain a clear understanding of Israel's defense requirements and outline US support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict.

"I'm here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and am particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla said.

US Air Force F-15 and F-16 fighter squadrons and A-10 attack squadrons were also deployed to the region in recent weeks.

Separately, Austin has placed approximately 2,000 personnel from a variety of units on a heightened state of readiness to increase the Pentagon's ability to respond in the Middle East.

Those forces would add key capabilities ranging from transportation to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the Pentagon said.