The Ministry of Defence has provided detailed updates on the deployment of RFA Cardigan Bay to the Eastern Mediterranean, where it is supporting an international humanitarian effort in Gaza.
The information was revealed in response to a series of written questions by Shadow Minister for Defence Stephen Morgan.
Stephen Morgan asked: “How long RFA Cardigan Bay will be deployed to Gaza; and what role the armed forces will play in the construction of the temporary pier.”
In response, Minister of State for the Armed Forces Leo Docherty stated: “RFA Cardigan Bay has been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, however, we will not comment on the duration of the deployment. RFA Cardigan Bay does not have a direct role in construction but will provide support to the US personnel working to establish the pier.”
Morgan also inquired about the operational timeline and the protection of the temporary pier: “When he expects the temporary pier in Gaza to be operational; and whether UK troops will have a role in protecting it.”
Docherty explained:
“In the continued effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza a temporary pier is being constructed off the coast to enable delivery as quickly and securely as possible; the US Department of Defense aim to have the pier operational in May 2024. That work is ongoing with the US, Cyprus and other partners. RFA Cardigan Bay has been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide support to the US personnel working to establish the pier. As of 2 May, UK personnel will not be undertaking roles protecting the pier.”
Morgan further questioned how the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will support the delivery of aid to Gaza: “How the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will support the delivery of aid to Gaza.”
Docherty provided details of the support role:
“RFA Cardigan Bay has been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide support to an international effort to build a temporary pier to allow delivery of humanitarian aid directly from the sea into Gaza. This support will involve the provision of accommodation for hundreds of US sailors and soldiers working to establish the pier.”
good…the deliveries need to be managed and protected by Arab peace keeping forces not western forces.
Agree. Otherwise mission creep and inevitable British casualties will occur whilst we are trying to “do the right thing”
The ‘Arabs’ won’t touch Palestine or Palestinians with a barge pole. The only regional powers that care are hostile to the U.S. and U.K. – Syrian and (non Arab) Iran.
It can’t be an Arab peacekeeping force, it needs to be neutral.
The issue is the US has tighed itself in knots defending the indefensible in how isreal has acted (there is no good/right side there) and that means our troops would be fair game as would be considered proxy of the US.
I suspect the answer will be no one will protect it and aid workers will be left to hope.
Hi George, speculative reports of H+W to close down according to Belfast Live?? 😳 Hope that is spurious.
Navy Lookout says some funding glitches, nothing that can’t be sorted.
Ok Paul T, I’ll stow the blood pressure tabs away. 😊🙃🕳️.
It’s a joke Britains even involved in the first place, it’s the surrounding sovereign nations responsibility to ensure aid gets through to it’s neighbour.
Putting aside the politics of which side is right/wrong etc, there are normal civilians starving and dying, for sure we should be helping. Clearly so should the surrounding nations but we don’t live in an ideal world.
When the RAF fire bombed Hamburg accommodation blocks in in 1943 burning some 37000 men, women and children to death di we care?
I am pleased that our troops are not doing the Gaza gig. They will be tempting targets for Hamas and Co to shoot at. The Russians would pay handsomely for each hit.