Gaza: RAF Akrotiri
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times UK Shadow R1 planes have flown from RAF Akrotiri towards Gaza since 19 January 2025; and for what purpose.
Answered by Luke Pollard
Since the terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals.
In support of this, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in airspace over Israel and Gaza. For the avoidance of doubt, our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of hostages only; surveillance aircraft are unarmed and do not have a combat role.
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