British troops may be deployed on the ground in Gaza to help deliver aid.
UK soldiers are already helping US colleagues build an offshore pier, designed to increase the amount of aid getting in via sea routes, and it is understood the plan is for them to drive trucks along a pontoon bridge to the shore.
Yesterday, a Ministry of Defence source said that no decision had yet been made on the use of British troops.
President Joe Biden has ruled out sending American forces into Gaza because of fears for their safety.
And the prospect of deploying British soldiers to deliver aid to a secure 67-acre distribution area currently under construction by the Israelis, has raised concerns that they could become a target for terrorists and jihadis.
On top of this, construction of a temporary pier and causeway at sea has begun, after President Joe Biden announced the project in March with the aim of expanding the flow of life-saving humanitarian assistance into Gaza from early May.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on Friday said: ‘It is critical we establish more routes for vital humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza and the UK continues to take a leading role in the delivery of support in coordination with the US and our international allies and partners.
‘The crew of RFA Cardigan Bay are central to the UK’s contribution to the multi-national plan to greatly expand the flow of aid into Gaza.
‘This will complement the priority of getting more aid in via land routes and Ashdod port in Israel, by enabling tens of thousands of tonnes to be delivered directly from the sea onto the beach.’
Last night, an MoD source said: ‘The Americans don’t want to get involved because they obviously think it is too dangerous.
You could argue it would make logistical sense to use British personnel but the dangers are very significant.’
The Royal Navy ship RFA Cardigan Bay is sailing from the British base in Cyprus to provide accommodation to hundreds of US troops building the offshore pier.
The MoD has refused to confirm the deployment of British troops to Gaza, where the six-month war between Israel and Hamas has claimed more than 33,000 lives.
It is understood that nothing has been decided and the proposal has not yet reached Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.