The British officer acts as the deputy US commander in the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which also includes forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE.
Defense Secretary John Healey pointed out that Britain is providing expertise to oversee the ceasefire, but will not lead the operation, while a British team of military experts remains outside Gaza itself. The decision comes a week after new Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said there were “no plans” to send troops.
The US plans to send up to 200 troops to Israel to monitor the ceasefire, coordinate humanitarian aid and provide logistics. The British team will help monitor the implementation of the agreement and the transition to civilian administration in Gaza, separately from the planned international stabilization mission.
The arrival of British troops also has a symbolic value – for the first time since 1947, British soldiers are officially present on Israeli territory, reminding of the mandate of the United Kingdom in Palestine before the declaration of the State of Israel.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire is under pressure – Israel and Hamas are accused of violating the agreement, and more than 50 people have been killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours.
