The United Kingdom plans to deploy naval vessels, aircraft, helicopters, and Royal Marines in order to provide assistance to Israel.

The UK government, specifically No10, has declared that they will be sending two Royal Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean in order to provide assistance to Israel.

Patrols by sea and air will begin in the region from Friday to track threats to regional stability, Downing Street said on Thursday evening, and would include monitoring activity such as the “transfer of weapons to terrorist groups”. A Royal Navy task group will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean next week as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts.

It comes amid an escalation in violence in the Middle East in the wake of Hamas’ brutal assault on Israel at the weekend and the country’s retaliation. The UK military will help by tracking threats and monitor activity such as the “transfer of weapons to terrorist groups”.

The military package includes P8 aircraft, surveillance assets, two Royal Navy ships – RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus – three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines. No10 said they will be “on standby to deliver practical support to Israel and partners in the region and offer deterrence and assurance”.

In a statement Rishi Sunak added: “We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated. Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation.

“Our military and diplomatic teams across the region will also support international partners to re-establish security and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the thousands of innocent victims of this barbaric attack from Hamas terrorists.”

The PM has also requested all military teams in Israel, Cyprus, and across the region are bolstered amid fear of any spill over from the instability. Downing Street said the package of support “is a significant demonstration of the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence and will allow the UK to adapt to the needs of partners as the situation evolves over the coming weeks”.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The monstrous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas in recent days have proven why the UK must support Israel’s absolute right to self-defence and deter malign external interference. No nation should stand alone in the face of such evil and today’s deployment will ensure Israel does not.

“The Royal Navy Task Group, RAF operations and our wider military support will be an undeniable display of the UK’s resolve to ensure Hamas’s terrorist campaign fails, whilst reminding those who seek to inflame tensions that the forces of freedom stand with the Israeli people.” The UK Government also announced it had organised flights to help British nationals leave Israel.

The first flight was expected to leave the Israeli city of Tel Aviv last night (THU). The Foreign Office, which has said family members of British diplomats are leaving Israel as a “precautionary measure”, has advised against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.