UK to ‘send spy planes and Royal Navy ships’ to join international effort to support Israel against Hamas
Britain will send two ships to the eastern Mediterranean and launch reconnaissance flights over Israel in a significant show of military support against Hamas.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay will be deployed to the region, The times reports.
Meanwhile, the RAF is expected to launch patrols in the next 24 hours, during which they will monitor threats to regional stability.
It comes after the US ordered warships and aircraft to approach Israel following a bloody attack by Hamas terrorists on Saturday. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attack.
Rishi Sunak reiterated the UK’s firm support for Israel and the government’s “unequivocal condemnation” of Hamas terrorists.
Royal Navy support vessels RFA Argus (pictured) and RFA Lyme Bay will reportedly be deployed to the region
He vowed tonight to “do everything in our power” to keep British Jews safe after the Hamas attack on Israel and a rise in domestic anti-Semitic incidents.
The Prime Minister announced £3m of extra funding to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken today reaffirmed America’s commitment to support the world’s only Jewish state as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel’s prime minister.
Israeli tanks move toward the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on Thursday
Benjamin Netanyahu’s government also asked Germany to send ammunition for the ships, as the country’s defense minister said. “We are with Israel.”
Berlin will allow Israel to use two of its Air Force’s Heron drones, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced today ahead of a NATO meeting in Brussels.
“We will provide two drones that the Israelis requested. In addition, there are the first requests for ammunition for the ships, which we will now discuss with the Israelis,” Pistorius said.
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