UK to send RAF aircraft and Royal Navy ships to support Israel
The Prime Minister has directed British ships and RAF surveillance planes be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Tel Aviv after the Hamas attacks.
Downing Street confirmed surveillance aircraft will be deployed from Friday to track threats to regional stability such as the "transfer of weapons to terrorist groups".
Meanwhile, a Royal Navy task group will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean next week as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts.
The military package includes P-8 aircraft, surveillance assets, two Royal Navy ships – RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus – three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.
"We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
"Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world-class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation.
"Our military and diplomatic teams across the region will also support international partners to re-establish security and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the thousands of innocent victims of this barbaric attack from Hamas terrorists," he added.
The Prime Minister has also called for an enhancement of military teams in Israel, Cyprus, and the surrounding region, to reinforce contingency planning and to assist neighbouring nations in addressing potential repercussions of instability in Israel.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "No nation should stand alone in the face of such evil and today's deployment will ensure Israel does not.
"The Royal Navy Task Group, RAF operations and our wider military support will be an undeniable display of the UK's resolve to ensure Hamas's terrorist campaign fails, whilst reminding those who seek to inflame tensions that the forces of freedom stand with the Israeli people," he added.
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