- Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft to begin patrols today
[FRI] to help partners track emerging threats to regional
security.
- Royal Navy task group to deploy to eastern Mediterranean in
coming days to help mitigate humanitarian crisis
- Military teams bolstered across the region as cooperation
with Israel is stepped up
The Prime Minister has directed UK military assets to be deployed
to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, reinforce
regional stability and prevent escalation.
Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will begin flying in
the region 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, which includes P8 aircraft, surveillance
assets, two Royal Navy ships – RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus – three
merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines, will be on
standby to deliver practical support to Israel and partners in
the region, and offer deterrence and assurance.
The Prime Minister has also asked for all military teams in
Israel, Cyprus and across the region to be bolstered to support
contingency planning and the efforts of neighbouring countries to
deal with any spill over from instability in Israel.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister spoke to the Egyptian President,
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, today to understand the wider regional
picture and underscore the importance of supporting civilians to
leave Gaza.
He also thanked President al-Sisi for Egypt’s assistance in
helping British nationals in the area.
Prime Minister said:
“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.
“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.”
The Prime Minister is due to speak to northern European leaders
about the situation in Israel at the Joint Expeditionary Force
summit in Sweden on Friday. They are expected to discuss the
vital need to work with partners across the Middle East to
support stability, while simultaneously remaining focussed on
backing Ukraine’s defence against Russia.
He will also visit British warship HMS Diamond while in Gotland,
Sweden, which is on patrol in northern Europe to reinforce
security in the region. While on board, the Prime Minister will
hear about the capabilities of Diamond’s sister ship, HMS Duncan,
which is deployed in the Mediterranean with NATO.
The package of military support, which will work alongside allies
already in the region, is a significant demonstration of the UK’s
support for Israel’s right to self-defence and will allow the UK
to adapt to the needs of partners as the situation evolves over
the coming weeks.
The step change comes after the Prime Minister spoke to Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, and the
Defence Secretary discussed the situation with his NATO
counterparts in Brussels.
The Foreign Secretary visited Israel to see first hand the
destruction Hamas terrorists have caused and to understand how
the UK can support the efforts of the Israeli Government to
ensure the safety and security of the Israeli people.
Defence Secretary said:
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary announced today that the UK will
facilitate commercial flights to help vulnerable British
nationals wanting to leave Israel.
