Israel-Gaza: UK sends military ships and planes to Eastern Mediterranean

The RFA Argus, right, will be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean. PA

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British Royal Navy vessels and surveillance aircraft are being sent to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Thursday.

He said the British forces would “support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation” in the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Maritime patrol and surveillance planes will begin flying in the region from Friday to track threats, including activity such as the “transfer of weapons to terrorist groups”, the government said.

“We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated,” Mr 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.”

A Royal Navy task group will be moved to the Eastern Mediterranean next week as a contingency measure to back humanitarian efforts, the government said.

The military package includes P8 aircraft, surveillance, two Royal Navy ships – Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels Lyme Bay and Argus – three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.

The British armed forces will be on standby to “deliver practical support to Israel and partners in the region, and offer deterrence and assurance”, Downing Street said.

At UN headquarters in New York City, Rachel Zeitchik, right, and Jay Zeitchik attend an event for families of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas. AFP

Palestinians flee from northern Gaza towards the south after the Israeli army demanded the population of more than a million people leave before a ground invasion. AP

Demonstrators at a rally in support of Palestine face a counter-demonstration in support of Israel near Times Square in New York. EPA

Palestinians flee from northern Gaza to the south after the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning. AP

An injured man is rescued from the rubble of a building following an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza Strip. AP

Mourners take cover as sirens sound during the funeral of Tom Godo, killed during the attack by Hamas militants on the Kibbutz Kisuffim last week, in Kibbutz Naan near Tel Aviv. AFP

A Palestinian man flashes the victory sign as he and others leave northern Gaza before an expected Israeli ground offensive. AFP

Palestinians head south with their belongings after being ordered by Israel to leave northern Gaza on Friday. AFP

Israel ordered more than a million Palestinians to head south within 24 hours. Reuters

The UN criticised the directive, saying forcing such a large number of people to flee en masse would be catastrophic. Reuters

Gazans have to travel about 15km if they live in the northernmost part of the strip to reach the area south of the Wadi Gaza. Reuters

The UN said that more than 423,000 people have already fled their homes in the territory, with a sizeable number making the more than 10km journey on foot. Reuters

Palestinians with their belongings flee to safer areas in Gaza City. AFP

An Armoured Personnel Carrier drives near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip. Reuters

Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gather for mass Friday prayer during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

A Palestinian woman waits to cross into Jerusalem's Old City through Damascus Gate next to Israeli soldiers. AFP

Israeli army infantry fighting vehicles deploy along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. AFP

Israeli soldiers detain a man while on patrol near Kibbutz Beeri, near the Gaza Strip. AFP

Students hold in a rally in support of Palestine at Columbia University in New York. Getty Images

Family and friends mourn Valentin Ghnassia, 23, who was killed in a battle with Palestinian militants at Kibbutz Beeri near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip. Getty Images

A ball of fire erupts in Gaza city after an Israeli air strike. AFP

Palestinians inspect the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli air strike at Al Shati refugee camp. AP

A fireball erupts from an Israeli air strike in Gaza city. AFP

People waiting for news of victims outside the morgue at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. AFP

A girl mourns the death of members of the Samour family, who were killed in Israeli strikes on their house in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

Israelis arrive to sign up at a weapons distribution point for people allowed to carry arms, at the Ayyelet HaShahar Kibbutz in northern Israel, near the Lebanese border. AFP

Mourners outside the morgue at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City as battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for a sixth consecutive day. AFP

Men dig graves to bury members of the Samour family, who were killed in Israeli strikes on their house in Khan Younis. Reuters

Palestinian children who fled their homes during Israeli strikes, play at a United Nations-run school in Gaza City. Reuters

Israeli soldiers near a self-propelled howitzer near the border with Gaza in southern Israel. AFP

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, left, welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken upon arrival at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. AFP

Palestinian children in a makeshift shelter at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Reuters

Boxes of humanitarian aid and supplies from Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation destined for Gaza, in Amman, Jordan. Reuters

Palestinians outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on the sixth day of fighting between Israel and Hamas. AFP

A pro-Israel vigil in Montevideo, Uruguay. EPA

The package appears to represent a shift in approach to Britain's military involvement, after Mr Sunak's official spokesman this week said there were “no plans to redeploy UK military assets to Israel”.

Mr Sunak has also asked for all British military teams in Israel, Cyprus and across the region to be bolstered.

“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, while reminding those who seek to inflame tensions that the forces of freedom stand with the Israeli people,” Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said.

John Healey, Labour's shadow defence secretary, said his party “backs these military moves” as part of the UK's response to Hamas's incursion that left hundreds of Israelis dead.

“We stand in solidarity with Israel at this dark hour,” Mr Healey tweeted.

The military move comes before Mr Sunak's trip to Sweden for the Joint Expeditionary Force summit, where he is due to speak with northern European leaders about the situations in Israel and Ukraine.

He has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm support for Israel.

“The Prime Minister passed on again the deep condolences of the British people for all those killed, injured or kidnapped in this unconscionable tragedy, the true scale and horror of which is only just becoming clear," a government spokesman said.

The spokesman said Mr Sunak also gave an update on his call with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Included in their discussion was the importance of opening the Rafah crossing to allow for humanitarian access and provide a route for British and other nationals to leave Gaza.

Mr Sunak's attention has also been on the conflict's effects on British communities, having announced an extra £3 million ($3.6 million) to provide extra security for the UK's Jewish population.