No circumstances for UK troops on ground in Israel-Hamas conflict, says Shapps
There are no circumstances under which British soldiers would be deployed on the ground in Israel, Gaza or the West Bank, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said
MPs had pressed Mr Shapps in the Commons over whether there would be an extension of UK military involvement in the current crisis between Israel and Hamas.
He confirmed the RAF would be conducting unarmed surveillance flights over the eastern Mediterranean, including operating in airspace over Israel and Gaza.
Mr Shapps said this was part of his pledge to "move heaven and earth" to rescue the remaining hostages held by Hamas following the militant group's deadly attack on Israel on 7 October.
But he ruled out any British troop involvement, including for peacekeeping operations.
Labour MP John McDonnell sought assurances that there would be "no deployment of British troops on the ground in Gaza, Israel or the West Bank without the approval of this House".
Mr Shapps replied: "Well there simply is not going to be a deployment, so it won't even require this House."
Alliance MP Stephen Farry said the presence of the United Nations or a UN-authorised peacekeeping force on the ground could help sustain a ceasefire, but it might have to be led by Arab states.
He added: "Does the Secretary of State foresee any situation in which the MOD could be providing back-up support to such a presence - and has any planning been done for such a scenario?"
Mr Shapps replied: "There's a huge amount of international work going into thinking about what happens afterwards and how that is structured.
"It is rather too soon, I'm afraid, to predict exactly how that would look, but I don't think he's too far off the mark to think this needs to be a truly global response or will need to involve Arab partners and we will do whatever we can to help and support.
"But I see no circumstances under which British troops were on the ground."
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked if Britain would be involved in the "military actions that Israel are taking, either physically or by providing information to support their military activities".
Mr Shapps said the simple answer to the question was "no".
SNP MP Alison Thewliss asked about the current role for RAF bases in Cyprus and whether any military materials were being moved through them.
Mr Shapps replied: "They are being used, for example, to ensure that we can provide support to our military laydown in the area.
"To answer her specific question I can assure her we have provided no offensive military weapons to Israel during this conflict.
"In fact our exports to Israel on military grounds are actually quite low, I think a figure of something like £48m last year which is not a very significant amount of money, and during the conflict we would only be providing defensive materials or materials that might help with the recovery of hostages."
Labour MP Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside) raised concerns over an "increase in settler violence in the West Bank".
Mr Shapps, who said he would be visiting the Middle East this week, replied: "I certainly won’t be pulling my punches when I speak to my Israeli counterparts.
"The violence in the West Bank is unacceptable and it must be controlled - stopped, in fact."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
