Britain sends small number of troops to monitor Gaza ceasefire

Defence secretary says UK will play anchor role' in US-led civil military coordination centre

British troops have been sent to Israel to help monitor the ceasefire in Gaza after a request from the US.

The defence secretary, John Healey, announced the deployment of a small number of planning officers, including a senior commander, at an event on Monday night. He said the UK would play an anchor role". Ten days ago the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the UK had no plans" to send soldiers to Gaza.