The United Kingdom is set to deploy two Royal Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean, with the objective of enhancing security in the region, according to an
announcement from 10 Downing Street. This decision comes in the wake of a six-day period of turmoil sparked by a sudden assault on Israel by Hamas.
The surveillance aircraft will commence patrols on the upcoming Friday, tasked with monitoring potential threats to regional stability, including the illicit transfer of weapons to terrorist organizations. Additionally, three Merlin helicopters and Royal Marines will be dispatched to contribute to this security initiative.
The British government is also organizing flights to assist British nationals who find themselves stranded in Israel. The first flight, initially scheduled to depart from Tel Aviv on Thursday, had not yet taken off as of Friday morning. A Foreign Office spokesperson explained that the departure situation remained dynamic, and their efforts were concentrated on ensuring that the flight could proceed as soon as possible.
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, held a conversation with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to reiterate the UK's support. The purpose of this call was to reaffirm the UK's unwavering backing for Israel in the aftermath of the reprehensible terrorist attack by Hamas, as stated by Downing Street.
No. 10 emphasized that the military support would be deployed in the near future to fortify security in the broader region, reiterating the UK's solidarity with Israel in their fight against terrorism.
Grant Shapps, the Secretary of Defense, clarified that the vessels being sent were not warships but rather ships equipped to provide medical facilities. He stated on BBC Breakfast that dispatching these ships also served as a deterrent to discourage external actors from interfering in the region.
When asked about Israel's response to the attacks, Secretary Shapps underscored Israel's right to self-defense and noted that, in contrast to Hamas, Israel was issuing warnings before taking action against Hamas terrorists, which he deemed the appropriate course of action.
Furthermore, Mr. Sunak held discussions with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to emphasize the significance of opening the Rafah crossing into Gaza, allowing humanitarian access and providing a means for British and other foreign nationals to exit the region.
Mr. Sunak emphasized that the UK's military and diplomatic teams deployed across the region would collaborate with international partners to reestablish security and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the numerous innocent victims of the brutal attack perpetrated by Hamas terrorists.
In recent events, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, resulting in casualties and the capture of numerous hostages in Gaza. Retaliatory air strikes by Israel have also led to casualties in Gaza, adding to the complexity of the situation. Photo by Royal Navy, Wikimedia commons.