FILE - Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system fires to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, near Ashkelon, Israel, Thursday, May 11, 2023. An Israeli ground offensive in Gaza would further escalate the war raging since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack days ago. The United States already deployed one aircraft carrier group to the region, with another on the way. That reflects concerns of a widening conflict and is meant to deters Iran and others. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)