British Troops Considered for Ground Deployment in Gaza for Aid Delivery
JERUSALEM — In a bold move to deliver aid to Gaza via a new sea route, British troops are being considered for deployment on the ground, as revealed by the BBC.
The US has made it clear that American forces will not go ashore, and an unidentified “third party” will be responsible for driving trucks along a floating causeway onto the beach.
The UK is reportedly contemplating assigning British troops to undertake this task when the aid corridor opens next month.
Sources in Whitehall have indicated that no final decision has been made yet, and the matter has not yet reached the prime minister’s desk.
Both the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Israeli army have declined to provide any comments on the matter.
With the UK deeply involved in planning the sea-borne aid operation, Defense Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized that the UK is playing a key role in coordinating support efforts with the US and other international allies.
The potential involvement of British forces, known as “wet boots” by military planners, would entail driving trucks off landing craft onto a temporary causeway to deliver aid to a secure distribution area onshore.
While efforts will be made to safeguard allied forces both at sea and on land, British troops may face heightened risks of attacks from groups like Hamas.
Recent developments have underscored the dangers, with a United Nations team forced to take cover due to mortar attacks near the planned distribution zone.
US defense officials have confirmed the initiation of work by an American army ship in the eastern Mediterranean to construct a large floating pier for aid delivery.
The aid will be transported from Cyprus on large ships to the floating pier before being transferred to trucks and smaller landing craft. The floating causeway is expected to be several hundred meters long and firmly anchored in the sand.
The new maritime corridor, dubbed the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation, aims to facilitate the delivery of up to 150 trucks per day, supplementing the existing land-based aid deliveries that fall short of meeting the needs of Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have pledged to provide security and logistical support for the initiative to enhance the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
With Israel responsible for anchoring the floating causeway to the beach, joint drills with American forces have been conducted further north along the Israeli coast.
During a briefing with journalists, a senior US military official disclosed that American forces would be stationed on a UK naval vessel, RFA Cardigan Bay, with no direct involvement in the aid delivery onshore.
The official reiterated that a “third party” would handle the truck driving operations, ruling out the presence of US military personnel on the ground.
Despite media inquiries, the third party’s identity remains undisclosed.
A UK source acknowledged ongoing discussions about potential roles for British forces, emphasizing the importance of establishing new routes for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
While the MoD refrained from commenting on the prospect of UK forces driving trucks ashore, Shapps highlighted the pivotal role of RFA Cardigan Bay’s crew in the UK’s contribution to the aid mission.
He emphasized the collaborative efforts of British military planning teams embedded within US operational centers and shared insights from the UK Hydrographic Office to support the development of the pier.
With over half of Gaza’s population concentrated in Rafah amid ongoing military operations, the UN has issued warnings of a looming humanitarian crisis, urging increased aid access to civilians.
Efforts to deliver aid via the new sea route have been met with cautious optimism, but concerns persist over logistical challenges and the urgency of meeting Gaza’s pressing needs.
As the situation in Gaza remains precarious, international stakeholders are navigating complex operational hurdles to ensure effective aid delivery and alleviate the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.
