Report: Brit spy planes still flying over Gaza to help Israel find hostages
Shadow R1s, specialist surveillance planes equipped with sophisticated espionage technology, have been flown almost everyday over the enclave. While the MoD refuses to disclose which aircraft are being used for these missions, flight tracking data shows the Shadow R1s have flown hundred of missions, as recently as last month, after taking off from Cyprus' RAF Akrotiri. The Ministry of Defence told the newspaper that these flybys are only done to collect information on the hostages.
But questions have been raised over whether the missions are purely for finding the hostages. Former Major General Charlie Herbert told the newspaper: 'It's all good and proper saying they are handing over intelligence for the purposes for locating hostages, but in reality that intelligence is just as likely to be used as targeting for Hamas and others.' The confirmation of the missions comes despite relations between Britain and Israel being at an all-time low, following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's conditional pledge to recognise the state of Palestine, along with senior British government figures condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously said he was 'appalled, sickened' by the 'grotesque' targeting of Palestinians seeking food by the IDF, and has threatened further sanctions. The UK government has invoked the ire of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed the UK was 'rewarding Hamas' by conditionally pledging to recognise Palestine as a state . Earlier today Netanyahu reportedly told the military to prepare for a full takeover of the Gaza Strip, including areas where hostages are being held.
A source in the Prime Minister's Office told The Jerusalem Post on Monday that the message had been passed on to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir saying: 'If this does not suit you, then you should resign.' It comes as Netanyahu prepares to meet with top officials to decide on the next steps in Gaza and what to do about the remaining hostages.
An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post: 'The prime minister is considering all available options regarding the next steps.' According to reports, the prime minister used the phrase 'occupation of the Strip' in private conversations while describing his intentions for Gaza. If Netanyahu's plans are successful, the Israeli military could extend its reach across the whole region, according to local reports. It currently holds 75 percent of the Strip.
He is now set to take the plans to his cabinet to seek their backing for the plan. In a video message, Netanyahu said he was 'committing to free Gaza from the tyranny of these terrorists'. According to The Times of Israel, the IDF is against the proposal and has said it would take a significant amount of time to clear infrastructure belonging to Hamas.
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