The United Kingdom is considering deploying troops to Gaza to assist with the delivery of aid via a new sea route. While the United States has confirmed that no American forces will go ashore, an unnamed “third party” will drive trucks along a floating causeway onto the beach. Whitehall sources say no decision has been taken on the matter. The UK has played a leading role in coordinating with the US and other international allies in the delivery of aid.
The possible role of British forces, known as “wet boots” by military planners, would see them driving trucks off landing craft onto a temporary causeway and delivering aid to a secure distribution area ashore. Although efforts would be made to protect allied forces both off and onshore, British troops would potentially face a higher risk of attack from Hamas and other armed groups. Meanwhile, a UN team had to take cover when mortars landed near the planned distribution zone.
The IDF has stated it will provide “security and logistics support for the JLOTS initiative… to enhance the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip”. Israel’s military will be responsible for anchoring the floating causeway to the beach. In a briefing with journalists, a senior US military official said because there would be no American boots on the ground, hundreds of US soldiers and sailors would live and sleep at sea on a UK naval vessel, RFA Cardigan Bay. He also made clear US forces would not take the aid ashore and instead, another nation, not a private military company, would play that role.
The aim is to add to, but not replace, aid deliveries by land that are still insufficient to meet the need. Although any way to deliver aid to Gaza is welcome and will help, there are concerns about logistical uncertainties. It would be more efficient to allow delivery trucks into Gaza via land crossings, but these have been limited by Israeli forces. Even though the UK is at the forefront of the delivery of aid, there is no clear indication if the potential deployment of British troops to assist in this effort will be confirmed
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