British troops have been sent to Israel to help monitor a ceasefire in Gaza after a request from the US, Defence Secretary John Healey said
British troops have been sent to Israel to help monitor a fragile ceasefire in Gaza after a request from the US.
A senior commander and a small team of military personnel will be based in the region, with Britain taking an “anchor role” in a multinational force, Defence Secretary John Healey said. The commander will serve as deputy in the American-led Civil Military Coordination Centre in Israel, with troops from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates also expected to join, according to US officials.
It comes just 10 days after Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK had “no plans” to deploy soldiers as part of the force.
Speaking at an event in London on Monday, Mr Healey said: “We can contribute to monitoring the ceasefire, but that’s likely to be led by others. We’ve also, in response to the American request, we put a first-rate, two-star officer into the civilian and military command as a deputy commander.
“So, Britain will play an anchor role, contribute the specialist experience and skills where we can. We don’t expect to be leading … we will play our part.”
The truce, brokered by US President Donald Trump, was tested on Sunday when Israel said Hamas killed two soldiers. The IDF said, in response to what it called a violation of the ceasefire, it launched a “massive and extensive wave” of airstrikes in southern Gaza. At least 45 Palestinians, including children, were killed in the Israeli strikes, according to Gaza health officials. The IDF later said it had resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and both Israel and Hamas said they remained committed to the agreement.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “A small number of UK planning officers have embedded in the US-led CMCC, civil military co-ordination centre, including a two-star deputy commander to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability.
“The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.”
The US has agreed to contribute up to 200 troops to support the force. The British contingent, like its American counterparts, will not operate inside the Gaza Strip.
A US official said the task force would coordinate with the IDF, though its precise role, chain of command, legal status and other issues have yet to be finalised.
The force is also expected to help deliver humanitarian aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza, where food convoys have faced repeated delays by Israel.