Tensions are heightened in the Middle East as the truce in Gaza enters a seventh day.

The UK is sending a second warship —the destroyer ship HMS Diamond— to the Gulf to join the frigate HMS Lancaster.

It comes after Israel and Hamas reached a final-hour agreement last night to extend the ceasefire to the end of today.

Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Tim Dower that the UK Defence Force is describing its latest deployment as critical to bolstering its presence in the region.

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Tensions are heightened in the Middle East as the truce in Gaza enters a seventh day. 
The UK is sending a second warship —the destroyer ship HMS Diamond— to the Gulf to join the frigate HMS Lancaster. 
It comes after Israel and Hamas reached a final-hour agreement last night to extend the ceasefire to the end of today. 
Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Tim Dower that the UK Defence Force is describing its latest deployment as critical to bolstering its presence in the region. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.