British spy planes fly daily over Gaza in search of hostages despite diplomatic pressure on Israel

Their sophisticated surveillance systems can track vehicle convoys, monitor building interiors, and intercept communications, including phone calls and WhatsApp messages.

By Aron Sull, Jewish Breaking News

While the United Kingdom threatens to recognize a Palestinian state, RAF pilots continue their near-daily flights over Gaza gathering intelligence for Israeli hostage rescue operations.

Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft equipped with high-definition electro-optical sensors and electronic surveillance equipment have conducted at least 577 missions over Gaza since Hamas’s October 7 terror attack, according to data compiled by Action on Armed Violence.

Intelligence gathered during these flights is routinely shared with Israeli forces

Operated by 14 Squadron from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the twin-propeller aircraft spend approximately four hours daily flying above the Gaza Strip.

Their sophisticated surveillance systems can track vehicle convoys, monitor building interiors, and intercept communications, including phone calls and WhatsApp messages.

Data can be analyzed on board during missions or transmitted immediately via satellite to military planners.

“Since early December 2023, the RAF has routinely conducted unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages,” a Ministry of Defense spokesman tells the Telegraph.

“The UK controls what information is passed to Israeli authorities and only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authority.”

The surveillance operations continue as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has suspended arms export licenses that could be used in Gaza operations and threatened UN recognition of Palestinian statehood unless conditions improve by September.

British diplomatic pressure has intensified as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly moves toward full military occupation of Gaza.

A senior Israeli official told Hebrew media: “The die has been cast. We’re going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip – and defeating Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s plans would expand Israeli control beyond the current 75% of Gaza to encompass the entire 141-square-mile territory UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called Israel’s plans “alarming,” warning they “will inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed.”