UK Spy Planes Flew Near Gaza During Prisoner Exchange, Raising Questions

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Flight tracking data shows that two British Royal Air Force (RAF) spy planes flew near Gaza while Israeli prisoners were being released, according to reports from Declassified and FlightRadar24. The flights occurred between January 19 and February 1, coinciding with multiple prisoner exchanges between Hamas and Israel.

The planes took off from RAF Akrotiri, a British airbase in Cyprus, and headed towards Israel’s coastline. Their signals disappeared over the eastern Mediterranean before reappearing on their way back to Cyprus.

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) insists the aircraft did not enter Gaza’s airspace and acted in line with the ceasefire agreement. However, analysts argue the planes could have gathered intelligence from Israeli airspace to assist Israel’s operations.

A spokesperson from the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), Zaki Sarraf, questioned why the UK continues deploying spy planes even after hostilities paused. “The British public deserves clarity. A full public inquiry into the UK’s role in Israel’s actions is needed,” he said.

Surveillance flights began in December 2023, weeks after Hamas’ Al-Aqsa Flood operation. The Times reported that RAF planes conducted near-daily reconnaissance missions over Gaza, allegedly to help locate Israeli prisoners.

Hamas has accused Britain of complicity in Israel’s military actions, calling the UK’s involvement a violation of the ceasefire’s spirit. While the UK was not a signatory to the truce, the agreement explicitly restricted aerial surveillance during prisoner exchanges.

The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of Britain’s intelligence-sharing with Israel. Previous Israeli operations to rescue prisoners have resulted in high Palestinian casualties, including 274 people killed during an attack on Nuseirat refugee camp.

One RAF surveillance aircraft, identified as tail number ZZ507, remains stationed at RAF Akrotiri. It is unclear when it will return to the UK.

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