Israel has ordered a team of about 10 British soldiers based in Ramallah to leave the West Bank within seven days. The British Support Team, known as the BST, primarily advises and trains Palestinian Authority security forces under the Oslo Accords. It also monitors conditions in the territory.

The expulsion forms part of Israel's response to trade sanctions imposed by Britain on businesses operating in West Bank settlements. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the sanctions earlier this week, citing concerns over settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians. Israel views the measures as unwarranted interference in its security affairs.

A small British military and diplomatic group supporting the Gaza ceasefire at the international headquarters in Kiryat Gat received similar expulsion orders. Israeli officials cited the sanctions as the direct cause for both actions.

Whitehall sources indicated that Israeli authorities had monitored the BST's communications for some time. Reports suggest the team gathered and relayed information on settler activity to London and Washington. Israel reportedly sought grounds to remove the group amid growing bilateral tensions.

The BST had been scheduled to expand to roughly four times its current size in the coming weeks before the order arrived. Its presence in Ramallah dates back years and stems from agreements allowing limited foreign involvement in Palestinian security training.

This development adds to recent strains. Britain joined Canada and France in sanctions targeting goods and services linked to settlements. Israel countered by announcing the closure of Britain's consulate in East Jerusalem and restrictions on certain British officials.

Israeli leaders maintain that settlements in the West Bank represent legitimate security measures and historical claims. They argue that external sanctions ignore ongoing threats from Palestinian groups and undermine efforts to maintain stability. The BST's monitoring role drew particular scrutiny as it aligned with international criticism of settler actions.

The expulsions take effect immediately, with the British personnel required to depart by September 18. No immediate statements from the British government addressed the specific military team removal, though officials have defended the broader sanctions policy as necessary to preserve prospects for a two-state solution.