Gaza: Surveillance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he will release Gaza surveillance flights footage of 25 and 26 March 2025.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones
Following the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government worked with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.
In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza between December 2023 until 10 October 2025. Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence ceased surveillance flights over Gaza.
The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.
I am unable to disclose the information requested as to do so would undermine Defence’s ability to respond to hostage rescue scenarios in the future.
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