Britain will send two Navy ships to the Eastern Mediterranean and fly Royal Air Force surveillance planes over Israel in a significant show of military support against Hamas.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay will be sent to the region to help quell the worsening humanitarian crisis, Downing Street said.

Meanwhile, the RAF is expected to begin patrols from tomorrow, during which they will monitor threats to regional security.

It comes after the US ordered military ships and aircraft to move closer to Israel following Saturday’s bloody assault by Hamas terrorists. The attack has so far seen over 1,200 Israelis killed. 

Rishi Sunak has repeated the UK’s steadfast support for Israel and the government’s ‘unequivocal condemnation’ of Hamas terrorists.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels RFA Argus (pictured) and RFA Lyme Bay will reportedly be sent to the region

The RAF is expected to begin patrols in the next 24 hours, during which they will monitor threats to regional stability. Picture shows service personnel getting ready to deploy

He said tonight: ‘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.’

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. 

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‘No nation should stand alone in the face of such evil and today’s deployment will ensure Israel does not.

He added that the Royal Navy Task Group, RAF operations and ‘wider military support’ would act as ‘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.’

It comes after the Prime Minister tonight vowed to ‘do everything in our power’ to keep British Jews safe in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel and a surge in antisemitic incidents domestically.

The Prime Minister announced £3million in extra funding to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.

Israeli tanks head towards the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel on Thursday

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also reiterated America’s commitment to supporting the world’s only Jewish state as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Israeli Prime Minister. 

Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has also asked Germany to send ammunition for ships as the country’s defence minister said ‘We stand by Israel’s side.’

Berlin will allow Israel to use two of its air force’s Heron drones, defence minister Boris Pistorius said today ahead of a NATO meeting in Brussels.

‘We will provide two drone the Israelis had asked for. In addition, there are first requests for ammunition for ships that we will now discuss with the Israelis,’ Pistorius said.

The UK Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.