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Gaza: Hostage Taking

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2025UIN 71972

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress the 14 Squadron Royal Air Force has made on locating the remaining hostages held in Gaza following 7 October 2025.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

While I am unable to comment on intelligence matters for operational security reasons, I can say that the UK Government has been working closely with partners across the region to secure the safe release and recovery of hostages.

In support of this effort, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean. These operations include activity within the airspace over Israel and Gaza.

To be clear, the mandate for these flights is strictly limited to supporting hostage rescue. The aircraft involved are unarmed and have no combat role.

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