British military officers were sent to Israel at the weekend to assist the US in co-ordinating the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction effort, defence sources have told The National.
The unit, led by a major general, are to assist 200 US troops sent to the Kiryat Gat military base in southern Israel. The UK government earlier said it had “no plans” to send forces to Israel, but the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the country has a leading role under the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
It is understood the British government is keen to demonstrate its military utility to the Trump administration and potentially repair bridges with Israel after a major diplomatic fallout over its war on Gaza.
While fewer than 10 British officers, who are not combat troops, have been sent to Israel, the source said, there are no plans yet for further UK troop deployments, but such a move could be under consideration.
“It’s quite early days, but we’ll see,” the source added. “This small deployment is where we are at the moment. The idea is to see how the UK can contribute in logistics, reconstruction and monitoring the ceasefire, the humanitarian elements as well. We certainly can help advise on logistics and planning."
The mission is separate from the proposed international stabilisation force that is to operate in Gaza.
The US has sent troops to Israel under Central Command leader, Admiral Brad Cooper, to help monitor the implementation of the ceasefire deal and the transition to a civilian government in Gaza.
UK Defence Minister John Healey said on Monday that the country had “specialist experience and skills that we have offered to contribute”, British media reported. He added that the move was a response to a request from the US. “We can contribute to monitoring the ceasefire, but that’s likely to be led by others," Mr Healey added.
“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.”
There is precedent for British senior officers being deployed alongside American military personnel, with a UK general acting as a deputy to US commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is also standard practice for Centcom missions.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said a small number of UK planning officers were “embedded in the US-led, civil-military co-ordination centre” to ensure Britain “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," he added.
The ceasefire brokered by Washington has come under pressure in recent days with accusations of breaches by Israel and Hamas and violence breaking out at the weekend. There are plans for a stabilisation force, largely made up of Middle East countries, to help restore order in Gaza.
The US and UK operations in Israel are likely to include the use of drones, surveillance aircraft and satellites over Gaza to monitor the ceasefire and assist with humanitarian efforts. It will also require co-ordination with the Israeli military, which could cause an issue over how its independence is viewed.
