UK sends warships, planes in Israel aid package

The military package, which includes P8 surveillance aircraft, other surveillance equipment, two auxiliary ships, three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines, will be in the region to provide "practical support to Israel... ", Downing Street said.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced increased funding to keep the UK's Jewish community safe. Photo: AP

“We must be absolutely determined to ensure the horrific scenes we saw this week are not repeated,” Chancellor Sunak said in a statement.

“Together with our allies, our world- class military deployment will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation,” he added.

Mr Sunak said UK military and diplomatic teams would also support international partners to restore security and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the region. UK troops in Israel, Cyprus and across the region would also be reinforced to support contingency planning.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also announced an additional £3m in funding to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings in the UK, bringing the total funding for Jewish community security in 2023-24 to £18m.

The money will be given to the Community Security Trust (CST), after the group representing Jews in the UK said it had recorded a 400% spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the country since the weekend attacks.

Mr Sunak also spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi “to understand the wider regional picture and emphasise the importance of supporting civilians to leave Gaza”, Downing Street said.

He is also expected to speak to Nordic leaders about Israel at a defense meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force in Sweden on Friday. The leaders are expected to discuss the need for stability in the Middle East, as well as the war in Ukraine.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, Independent)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/vuong-quoc-anh-cu-tau-chien-may-bay-trong-goi-ho-tro-israel-post268430.html