Secretary John Healey told a London audience on Monday that UK forces could play an “anchor role” by contributing their “specialist experience and skills” to securing a long-term peaceBritain has sent a senior commander and a small number of troops to Israel to help international efforts to monitor a fragile Gaza ceasefire following an American request.
John Healey, the defence secretary, revealed the deployment barely a week after Yvette Cooper, the new foreign secretary, said the UK had “no plans” to send
Defence Secretary John Healey told a London audience on Monday that UK forces could play an “anchor role” by contributing their “specialist experience and skills” to securing a long-term peace.
A British Army soldier on exercises. File pic: iStock
Britain has sent a senior commander and a small number of troops to Israel to help international efforts to monitor a fragile Gaza ceasefire following an American request.
John Healey, the defence secretary, revealed the deployment barely a week after Yvette Cooper, the new foreign secretary, said the UK had “no plans” to send soldiers.
The British officer will work as the deputy to a US commander, who is tasked with running a civil-military coordination centre that is also expected to include troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The ceasefire deal, brokered by Donald Trump, between Hamas and Israel has created the “opportunity for a long-term peace”, Mr Healey said.
