Militants claim Israel's bombardment of the besieged enclave has killed 13 captives, including foreigners, as the UK sends RAF aircraft and Royal Navy ships to the eastern Mediterranean to 'send a signal' to the wider region.
Britons are 'highly likely' to be among those held by Hamas in Gaza, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has told Sky News. The cabinet minister revealed the UK had also sent additional intelligence personnel to the region as part of efforts to release those captured or assist citizens trapped in the besieged enclave. His comments came just before Hamas claimed Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip had killed 13 hostages, including foreigners, held by the group.
Critics have highlighted the UK force will be a token gesture compared to the support provided by the US. But Mr Shapps said: 'We do in fact have warships in the region if we needed to, but we don't want to escalate the situation. 'What we want to do is assist and by working with our friends and allies. 'That is exactly what this is intended to do. 'We are also... thickening or bolstering our intelligence gathering with people on the ground throughout the region as well.
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