The United Kingdom (UK) is sending surveillance aircraft and two Royal Navy ships to the Eastern Mediterranean as part of its plans to support Israel.
The aircraft will begin patrols today, Friday, October 13, 2023, to track threats to regional stability such as the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups. The support package includes surveillance assets, helicopters, P8 aircraft, and a company of marines.
According to the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, the military support they are sending to Israel would help to prevent further escalation and the loss of lives.
The British armed forces will be on standby to deliver practical support to Israel and partners in the region and offer deterrence and assurance.
In a statement, Sunak said that the government must be undisputed in making sure that the dreadful scenes that unfolded in Israel are not repeated.
“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,” Sunak said.
He also asked for military teams in Israel, Cyprus, and across the region to be bolstered to support contingency planning.
Hamas launched an unmatched attack on Southern Israel on Saturday, October 7, 2023, killing at least 1,300 people and taking around 150 hostages to Gaza.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that the military aid will be an undeniable display of the UK’s resolve to ensure Hamas’s terrorist campaign fails.
In addition, the UK Foreign Office began arranging flights for British nationals stranded in Israel.
The first plane was expected to leave Tel Aviv on Thursday, October 12, 2023, with more planned in the coming days.