Team Blitz India
LONDON: Even as exodus began from northern Gaza following evacuation orders from Israel’s military, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak directed UK military assets to be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, reinforce regional stability and prevent escalation.
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, according to government press release.
It further said maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will begin flying in the region to track threats to regional stability such as the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups. PM Sunak 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 spillover from instability in Israel.
He spoke to Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu on October12 to reaffirm the country’s support for Israel following Hamas’ attack, a Downing Street spokesperson said. “He (Mr Sunak) reiterated that the UK stands side by side with Israel in fighting terror and agreed that Hamas can never again be able to perpetrate atrocities against the Israeli people,” it added.
The UK Prime Minister also spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi 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.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and southern Israel to underline UK’s unwavering solidarity in the face of terror. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps also discussed the situation with his NATO counterparts in Brussels.
Meanwhile, the British Government said it would organise flights to get its citizens out of Israel and ordered families of its diplomats to leave the region.
