Britain sends senior officer and small team to 'Israel' to help monitor Gaza ceasefire.

UK deployment follows US request despite earlier “no plans” statement.

British officer will serve as deputy in a US-led civil-military coordination centre.

Britain has deployed a senior military officer and a small team of troops to 'Israel' to assist international efforts in monitoring the fragile Gaza ceasefire, following a request from the United States.

 

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the deployment just a week after Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the UK had “no plans” to send soldiers. The British officer will serve as deputy to a US commander overseeing a civil-military coordination centre (CMCC) that is also expected to include personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

 

Speaking at a London event on Monday, Healey described the ceasefire deal, brokered by US President Donald Trump between Hamas and Israel, as creating an “opportunity for a long-term peace.” He added, “We have specialist experience and skills that we have offered to contribute… We can contribute to the monitoring of the ceasefire. That is likely to be led by others.”

 

The defence secretary further explained, “We have also, in response to the American request, put a first-rate two-star officer into a civilian-military command, as the deputy commander. So Britain will play an anchor role, contribute the specialist experience and skills where we can. We don’t expect to be leading… but we will play our part.”

 

The British team, which includes planning officers, will not operate inside Gaza, similar to the US contingent, which is sending up to 200 troops to 'Israel'. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said, “A small number of UK planning officers have embedded in the US-led CMCC, including a 2* 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.”

 

US plans, led by Central Command, include facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid, providing logistical support, and ensuring security in Gaza following the ceasefire agreement on 10 October. The new team will help monitor implementation of the ceasefire and the transition to a civilian government, separate from a planned international stabilization force intended to secure long-term peace as part of Trump’s 20-point plan.

 

However, reports indicate potential challenges, with The New York Times noting that countries considering contributing soldiers to the stabilization force remain wary of deploying troops while Hamas is still armed.

 

The British deployment comes amid ongoing tensions, with 'Israel' and Hamas accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.