Hamas warns UK against deploying military in Gaza Strip

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas warned the United Kingdom this Sunday that if it deploys soldiers to the Gaza Strip, after information that they could help in the distribution of humanitarian aid, they will be “legitimate targets” of its armed wing.

“We warn Britain, or any other country, against deploying forces on land or on the coast of the Gaza Strip and affirm that they will be legitimate targets for our people and their resistance,” Hamas said in a statement.

The armed group attacked any initiative in the Palestinian enclave that does not have its approval.

The Islamist group was responding to information broadcast on Saturday by the British BBC, according to which the British Armed Forces could deploy troops to deliver humanitarian aid on the ground arrival in Gaza through the new floating dock that is being built by Israel and the US.

The public broadcaster indicated that the United Kingdom could be the intermediary that the United States referred to when it said that it would not be American soldiers, but others, who would distribute the food packages sent by ship from Cyprus and then transferred to Gaza.

Yesterday, the Israeli Army assured in a press conference with international media that international organizations would be responsible for the distribution of humanitarian aid, but did not indicate which ones had agreed to collaborate.

Although the British Government has not confirmed the news, the BBC states, according to anonymous sources, that the Ministry of Defense is considering getting involved with ‘wet boots’ on the ground.

The possible role of British forces would involve driving the trucks with the help from the landing craft along the floating runway, hundreds of meters long, and deliver it to a safe distribution area on dry land, the station explained.

The Ministry of Defense in London reported on Friday, in turn, that the British Navy auxiliary ship RFA Cardigan Bay set sail from Cyprus to provide support for the construction of the temporary dock, which is led by the United States.

This ship will provide accommodation for hundreds of American sailors and soldiers, about whom Washington has made it clear that they will not set foot on Gazan territory.