The United Kingdom has said it will deploy patrol and surveillance aircraft and two Royal Navy ships to the eastern Mediterranean “to support Israel”.
BBC News reported that Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will begin flying in the region tomorrow “to track threats to regional stability”.
A Royal Navy task group will be moved to the area next week as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts.
Earlier, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised unwavering support for Israel in its fight against what he described as a Hamas “reign of terror”.
Speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about last weekend’s deadly attack by Gaza-based militants, Mr Blinken said Israel will “never, ever” be alone.
He also urged Israel to avoid harming civilians in the conflict.
At least 1,300 Israelis were killed, and over 1,400 Palestinians have died in air strikes on Gaza.
27 US citizens are known to have died in Israel and 14 are missing, feared abducted.
Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US and European Union, took up to 150 people hostage when its gunmen stormed through the Gaza security barrier on Saturday in a co-ordinated land, air and sea attack. It was the deadliest assault by Palestinian militants in Israel’s 75-year history.
