Britain has sent a small number of troops to Israel to help
monitor the Gaza ceasefire following a US request, amid ongoing tensions and
violence in the region.
At a gathering on Monday night, John Healey, the defense secretary, announced the deployment of a senior commander and a few other planning officers. The UK would have an "anchor role," he claimed.
The commander will serve as a deputy at the civil-military coordination center in Israel, which is led by the United States. Troops from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are also anticipated to be included.
Healey told business leaders:
“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.”
He said the UK would “contribute the specialist experience and skills where we can” without playing a leading role, adding:
“We will play our part.”
According to The Times, the force is not anticipated to enter Gaza and is believed to be distinct from a proposed international stabilization force that, should a UN security council move supported by the US and Europe pass, will be granted strong authority to maintain security within Gaza.
According to Gaza's media ministry, Israel has killed at least 80 Palestinians since the truce went into force and violated it 80 times. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, denounced Israel's "continued violation" of the ceasefire on Tuesday.
Following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in an attack the army attributed to Hamas, Israel launched deadly airstrikes into Gaza on Sunday, killing 26 Palestinians.
In an attempt to show faith in the agreement, the US vice-president, JD Vance, visited Israel on Tuesday, where he expressed “great optimism” for the truce, calling it “durable” and “going better than expected”.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
“A small number of UK planning officers have embedded in the US-led CMCC, civil military coordination 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.”
What legal authorities govern UK troops operating in Israel/Gaza?
The UK government authorizes deployments under the Royal
Prerogative and specific administrative authorizations concerning
overseas military operations. similar conduct misbehave with domestic
law, including the Armed Forces Act and the principle of legal state use of
force.
Internationally, the UK participates as part of a transnational task force under US leadership at the Civil-Military Collaboration Centre( CMCC). The legal base for UK forces operating there relies on host nation concurrence( Israel), ongoing ceasefire agreements, and collaboration with transnational mates.
The UK Ministry of Defence emphasizes the part of its colors as contributors to stabilization, monitoring, and collaboration, not in direct combat places, aligning with transnational humanitarian law and the laws of fortified conflict.