The UK will send surveillance aircraft and two Royal Navy ships to the eastern Mediterranean in plans “to support Israel”, No 10 says.

The aircraft will begin patrols tomorrow to “track threats to regional stability such as the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups”.

The package includes surveillance assets, helicopters, P8 aircraft, and a company of marines.

Rishi Sunak said the military support would “prevent further escalation”.

Under the plans, a Royal Navy task group will be moved to the area next week to support humanitarian efforts, Downing Street added.

The prime minister said the government “must be unequivocal” in making sure the “horrific scenes” that have unfolded in Israel “will not be repeated”.

Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on Saturday, killing at least 1,300 and taking around 150 hostages to Gaza.

More than 1,300 have also been killed in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes.