UK Dispatches Naval Vessels to Aid Israel; Sunak Ensures ‘World-Class’ Military Assistance

 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ordered the deployment of UK military assets to the eastern Mediterranean in a bid to support Israel, enhance regional stability, and prevent further escalation, as announced by Downing Street in London on Thursday.

A Royal Navy task group will be dispatched to the eastern Mediterranean next week as a precautionary measure to assist humanitarian efforts. Additionally, maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will commence operations in the region starting Friday to monitor potential threats to regional stability, such as the illicit transfer of weapons to terrorist groups.

This military package encompasses P8 aircraft, surveillance resources, two Royal Navy vessels – RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus – three Merlin helicopters, and a company of Royal Marines. They will be on standby to provide tangible support to Israel and its partners in the region, as well as to act as a deterrent and offer reassurance.

Sunak emphasised, “We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated. Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world-class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation.”

He continued, “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.”

Downing Street confirmed that the UK PM has also called for reinforcement of all military units in Israel, Cyprus, and across the region to bolster contingency planning and assist neighbouring countries in managing any spill-over from instability in Israel.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps asserted, “The monstrous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas in recent days have proven why the UK must support Israel’s absolute right to self-defence and deter malign external interference. No nation should stand alone in the face of such evil, and today’s deployment will ensure Israel does not.”

He added, “The Royal Navy Task Group, RAF (Royal Air Force) 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.”

In addition to this, Sunak held discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday to gain a broader understanding of the regional context and emphasise the importance of aiding civilians in leaving Gaza.

According to Downing Street, Sunak is scheduled to address northern European leaders about the situation in Israel at the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Sweden on Friday. The discussions are expected to focus on the imperative to collaborate with partners across the Middle East to uphold stability, while concurrently remaining committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence against Russia.

During his visit to Gotland, Sweden, Sunak will also visit the British warship HMS Diamond, which is on patrol in Northern Europe to bolster security in the region. Onboard, he will be briefed on the capabilities of Diamond’s sister ship, HMS Duncan, currently deployed in the Mediterranean with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

This package of military support, working in tandem with existing allies in the region, underscores the UK’s strong backing of Israel’s right to self-defence and will enable the UK to adapt to the evolving needs of its partners in the weeks ahead.

This development follows the Prime Minister’s conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week, and the Defence Secretary’s discussions with his NATO counterparts in Brussels.

Earlier on Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced that the UK will facilitate commercial flights to assist vulnerable British nationals who wish to leave Israel.