Filenews 16 October 2025
The British Ministry of Defense has put an end to military surveillance flights over Gaza, following the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas and the release of the remaining hostages, as announced today by the competent Minister, John Healy.
According to the Ministry, the surveillance operations, which began in December 2023 after the October 7 attacks, were carried out to support hostage-taking efforts, including British nationals.
He emphasizes that the aircraft were always unarmed, had no combat role and their mission was limited exclusively to locating hostages.
"This ceasefire is a moment of deep relief for the civilian population of Gaza, for the Israeli hostages and their families, all of whom suffered unimaginable suffering," Healy said in a statement.
The British government said it exercised strict control over the information it shared with Israeli authorities, limiting it solely to data related to hostage rescue operations. The last surveillance flight took place on October 10, 2025.
"I am proud of the UK's efforts to support the safe return of the hostages and the professionalism of our staff involved," Healy added. "The safe return of all hostages, together with the immediate restoration of humanitarian assistance, are crucial first steps towards achieving a lasting peace."
The flights were being conducted in the airspace over Israel and Gaza, as part of broader international efforts to free people who had been kidnapped during last year's attacks, according to the ministry.
