UK To Conduct Surveillance Flights Over Gaza in Search of Hamas Hostages

The UK will carry out reconnaissance missions over Gaza in search of hostages held by Hamas after their attack on Israel on October 7, as stated by Britain's defence ministry. Approximately 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage; around 110 have been released, mostly during a truce. Despite hopes for a speedy release, fighting has resumed as more than 130 captives remain.

Britain has confirmed at least 12 British citizens died in the attacks, with 5 still missing, but has not specified how many are detained by Hamas. The Israeli retaliation to the attacks resulted in over 15,000 deaths, mostly civilians, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-led administration.

The UK will initiate unarmed surveillance flights dedicated to aiding hostage rescue, though the start date is undisclosed. Operated over Israel and Gaza, these will be strictly for intelligence gathering related to the hostages. UK government minister Victoria Atkins announced that these would involve unarmed, unmanned drones.

Back in October, the UK, alongside the U.S., mobilized military resources to the eastern Mediterranean, including maritime and aerial surveillance, to curb any adverse involvement in the conflict. This deployment also involved a Royal Navy fleet.