LONDON: Britain has decided to deploy two Royal Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel and reinforce regional stability, Downing Street said on Thursday.

The military package, which includes P8 surveillance planes, other surveillance assets, two auxiliary ships, three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines, will be on standby in the region to provide “practical support to Israel ... and offer deterrence and assurance”, Downing Street said.

“We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

“Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation.”

Sunak said British military and diplomatic teams would support international partners to re-establish security and ensure aid reaches the region.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Maulana’s message
Updated 11 Mar, 2025

Maulana’s message

The problem now is that most jihadi fighters, ideologues refuse to end their "struggle" on advice of state or mainstream clerics.
President’s speech
11 Mar, 2025

President’s speech

PRESIDENT Asif Zardari, addressing Monday’s joint session of parliament to mark the start of a new parliamentary...
Indian takeover
11 Mar, 2025

Indian takeover

BY the time the Champions Trophy final ended, the only indicators that the tournament had been hosted by Pakistan...
Mosquito season
10 Mar, 2025

Mosquito season

AS temperatures rise, the threat of dengue looms large over Pakistan. Its warning signs have already arrived. Dengue...
Reckless rhetoric
10 Mar, 2025

Reckless rhetoric

ONCE again, the Indian leadership gave in to their worst impulses, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar...
Water scarcity
Updated 10 Mar, 2025

Water scarcity

The need to meet climate challenge is even greater when Pakistan is prone to multiple disastrous events at the same time.