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LONDON — U.K. military assets including surveillance aircraft and naval patrols will be deployed in the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, Rishi Sunak announced Thursday evening.
No. 10 Downing Street said that Royal Air Force aircraft will on Friday begin patrols to track threats to stability in the region, while a navy “task group” — including two Royal Navy ships — will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean to assist with humanitarian efforts.
The British government said the military package is intended to prevent escalation and hammer home its support for Israel. Sunak has declared repeatedly that the U.K. “stands with Israel” and offered unequivocal support, since Hamas’ surprise attacks on Saturday.
“Alongside our allies, deployment of our world class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation,” the prime minister said in a statement.
“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.
As well as the two navy ships, the military package includes three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines, plus P8 surveillance craft.
“The Royal Navy Task Group, RAF operations and our wider military support will be an undeniable display of the U.K.’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,” Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.
According to Downing Street, Sunak also spoke to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the president of Egypt, which borders Gaza and Israel. The government said Sunak spoke to al-Sisi in order to “underscore the importance of supporting civilians to leave Gaza,” amid calls for the opening of the Rafah border — Gaza’s sole border crossing point with Egypt.
