The deployment of forces to the Middle East by the US and Britain has begun. Aircraft carriers, frigates, support vessels, and helicopters will be deployed in the area to support Israel.

As has become known, Britain will deploy two warships as well as helicopters and surveillance aircraft in the eastern Mediterranean in order to support Israel and strengthen regional stability, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office announced last night.

According to the BBC, British aid to Israel includes P8 naval operations aircraft, surveillance vehicles, two Royal Navy ships – RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus – three Merlin helicopters and a team of British Royal Marines.

Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will begin flying to the region today, Friday to monitor threats to regional stability, including monitoring activity such as the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups, Downing Street said.

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A Royal Navy task force will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean next week as an emergency measure to support humanitarian efforts, it was stated.

In the meantime, the first aircraft of the US Air Force landed yesterday at dawn in Israel, carrying military aid to the country at a time when the war in the Middle East is escalating. US officials have said that both the US Central Command and the US Pentagon are controlling their stockpiles to meet Israeli requests for more anti-aircraft missiles and SDB bombs.

Watch: An Israeli cargo plane lands, delivering an initial shipment of advanced weaponry from the United States to Israel. pic.twitter.com/TEv2g9gXyW

— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) October 11, 2023

It is recalled that the US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, said a few days ago that the US is sending additional ammunition to Israel and stressed that the US military is in the process of strengthening its military presence in the Middle East.

The United States, which has already announced that it is sending an aircraft carrier (the USS Gerald Ford) accompanied by a naval force off the coast of Israel, is ready to deploy a second one in the area, if deemed essential, for reasons of deterrence, the White House announced.

John Kirby, the spokesman for the White House National Security Council, clarified that, long before the attacks by Hamas, it had been planned for a US aircraft carrier (the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower) to head to the Mediterranean.

Kirby also reiterated that US authorities are actively working with Israel and Egypt to allow civilians to leave Gaza, which is being struck by Israeli forces.

Israel’s military said on Thursday that 247 soldiers had been killed since the war began last weekend, whereas the casualties had reached 222 a day earlier. The military previously confirmed to the Associated Press that all 222 soldiers had been identified and their families had been notified. 

Finally, Israel’s National Security Council and Foreign Ministry on Thursday called on Israelis around the world to remain vigilant as Hamas calls for an international “Day of Rage” on Friday.

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