British Forces ‘Played Their Part’ to Prevent Further Violence in Middle East, Says Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary John Healey arrives in Downing Street, in London, on Sept. 3, 2024. Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

British forces have “played their part” in efforts to prevent further violence in the Middle East, the defence secretary has confirmed.

John Healey thanked British personnel involved in the operation to intercept the Iranian missiles targeted at Israel on Tuesday night.

“I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism,” Healey said.

His statement comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack in an official statement on Tuesday.

The Middle East conflict escalated on Tuesday night after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel. Tel Aviv said it intercepted many of the missiles, with no immediate reports of casualties. Iran, however, said most of its missiles hit their targets.

In a televised address from Downing Street, Starmer said that Britain stands with Israel and recognises its right to self-defence in the face of Iran’s aggression.

“Iran must stop these attacks. Together with its proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has menaced the Middle East for far too long, chaos and destruction brought not just to Israel, but to the people they live amongst in Lebanon and beyond.

“Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel’s reasonable demand for the security of its people,” the prime minister said.

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire across the Lebanon border almost daily since Oct. 8, following Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 250 hostages. In response, Israel declared war on the militant group in the Gaza Strip.

British Nationals in Lebanon

Speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Starmer stressed the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon in Gaza. He called on British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately, adding that the government is “doing everything it can to get people out.”

British citizens have been urged to register their presence in Lebanon with the Foreign Office and book the next available flight out of the country.

A UK government-chartered flight carrying Britons set off from Lebanon on Wednesday, with seats costing £350 each. Another flight by the Middle East Airlines service to Heathrow also departed Beirut’s airport on Wednesday.

In preparation for a potential evacuation of British nationals from Lebanon, hundreds of British troops have been deployed to Cyprus alongside RAF and Royal Navy assets in the region.

On Wednesday, Healey met with the Cypriot minister of defence Vasilis Palmas to discuss the ongoing crisis.

This comes amid fresh warnings by Israel to evacuate another 24 villages across southern Lebanon as part of its ground campaign against Hezbollah.

The villages are in a U.N.-declared buffer zone, which was established after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Ceasefire Calls

The U.N. has called an emergency meeting for Wednesday to address the escalation of the conflict. The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for an immediate ceasefire and said that “an all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs.” 

“I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” said Guterres.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for de-escalation and said he discussed the need for a diplomatic solution in the Middle East with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Lammy also warned Iran against taking action that could push the region further towards the brink.

“A cycle of escalation is in no one’s interest,” he said.

The latest developments came as Jewish people the start of the new year, Rosh Hashanah. Marking the occasion in an X post, Starmer said: “Rosh Hashanah is a joyous occasion. But this year, we approach it with anguish too as we remember the brutal acts of 7 October and in more recent days, the deeply concerning escalation in the Middle East.

“As we hold those who lost their lives in our memory, my government will do all we can to bring home the hostages.”

PA Media contributed to this report.