Norfolk-based ships sent near Israel

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - CNN is reporting that three Norfolk-based ships, which were scheduled to return to port just after Thanksgiving, are being re-routed back to the eastern Mediterranean.

According to CNN's Barbara Starr, the USS Iwo Jima, the USS New York and the USS Gunston Hall are being diverted toward Israel to be on standby following last week's Israel-Gaza conflict.

There are approximately 2,500 Marines on board the warships, whose homecoming has been delayed by an undisclosed amount of time due to the assignment.

Starr reports the warships are on standby in case they are needed to help Americans leaving Israel.