British soldiers have been dispatched to Israel to assist in overseeing a delicate ceasefire in Gaza following a plea from the US. Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that a senior officer and a small team of military personnel will be stationed in the area, with the UK playing a pivotal role in a multinational force. The officer will act as deputy in the American-led Civil Military Coordination Centre in Israel, where troops from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are also anticipated to participate.
This move comes shortly after Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the UK had no intentions of deploying troops as part of the force. Healey emphasized the UK’s willingness to contribute expertise and skills to monitor the ceasefire under the leadership of others.
The ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, faced a test when Israel accused Hamas of killing two soldiers. In response, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians, including children. Despite this, both Israel and Hamas reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire following the incident.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that a few UK planning officers have been integrated into the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre to ensure UK involvement in post-conflict stability planning for Gaza. The UK is collaborating with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire and contribute to the peace process.
The US has agreed to provide up to 200 troops for the mission, with both British and American forces operating outside the Gaza Strip. The task force is set to coordinate with the IDF and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, who have been facing delays in receiving food assistance. Further details regarding the force’s role, command structure, and legal status are yet to be finalized.