British troops may soon find themselves on the ground in Gaza as part of a groundbreaking effort to deliver much-needed aid via a new sea route, sources have revealed to the BBC.
According to reports, the United States has stated that American forces will not set foot on Gaza’s shores. Instead, a yet-to-be-disclosed “third party” will oversee the movement of aid trucks along a floating causeway to the beach.
The United Kingdom is reportedly contemplating assigning British troops to this task when the aid corridor becomes operational next month. However, sources within Whitehall indicate that no final decision has been made, and the matter has not yet reached the desk of the Prime Minister.
Both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Israeli army have declined to comment on the developments.
The UK has been deeply involved in planning the sea-borne aid operation, with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps underscoring the nation’s leading role in coordinating support efforts alongside the US and other international allies.
If British troops are deployed, they would engage in what military planners refer to as “wet boots” operations, involving the delivery of aid from landing craft onto the temporary causeway, ultimately reaching a secure distribution area ashore.
Despite efforts to ensure the safety of allied forces, the potential deployment poses risks, with British troops facing the threat of attacks from Hamas and other armed groups.
The aid initiative, known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation, aims to complement existing land-based aid deliveries, which are insufficient to meet Gaza’s needs. Currently, approximately 220 aid trucks per day enter Gaza by road.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have pledged to provide security and logistics support for the JLOTS initiative, including anchoring the floating causeway to the beach.
In a briefing with journalists, a senior US military official confirmed that no American troops would be involved in the ground operation, with a third party responsible for driving aid trucks ashore.
While the precise role of British forces remains under discussion, Defence Secretary Shapps emphasized the importance of establishing additional routes for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the logistical challenges and uncertainties associated with the new delivery method, advocating for the permanent opening of land crossings to expedite aid delivery.
As efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue, the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants shows no signs of abating, with thousands of lives lost since the outbreak of hostilities.
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