INTELLIGENCE from British spy planes could possibly be used to prosecute Gaza struggle crimes, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.
Particular forces surveillance planes have made a whole bunch of sorties over the bomb-blitzed strip to search out hostages held by Hamas terrorists.
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The Shadow R1 are full of sensors to take in intelligence, together with imagery, communications and digital traces of individuals on the bottom.
The RAF says the intelligence is “notably priceless to floor commanders”.
Hamas seized 251 hostages in its horrific October 7 assaults that left some 1,200 individuals useless.
Virtually 42,000 have individuals been killed by Israel’s response, and a few 96,000 injured.
Requested concerning the intelligence the MoD mentioned: “According to our worldwide obligations, we’d contemplate any formal request from the Worldwide Prison Courtroom to supply info regarding investigations into struggle crimes.”
The Worldwide Prison Courtroom’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan was searching for arrest warrants for 3 Hamas terrorist leaders who’ve all since been killed by Israel.
Mr Khan, a British lawyer, had accused terrorists Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif Ibrahim Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh of struggle crimes and crimes towards humanity, together with homicide, rape, extermination and torture.
Sinwar and Deif had been each killed in Gaza in latest months. Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July.
Mr Khan additionally requested warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
In an announcement issued in Could, Mr Khan mentioned there have been “cheap grounds” to suspect the Israelis of struggle crimes together with “hunger of civilians as a technique of warfare”.
The MoD mentioned the its flights over Gaza didn’t make it a “participant within the battle”.
In an announcement the MoD added: “The UK shouldn’t be a participant within the battle between Israel and Hamas.
“Our mandate is narrowly outlined to concentrate on securing the discharge of the hostages solely, together with British nationals, with the RAF routinely conducting unarmed flights since December 2023 for this sole goal.
“As a matter of precept, we solely present intelligence to our allies the place we’re glad that it will likely be utilized in accordance with Worldwide Humanitarian Legislation, and on this occasion solely info regarding hostage rescue is handed to the Israeli authorities.”
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The Shadow R1 plane are based mostly at RAF Waddington, Lincs, residence of the intelligence and surveillance fleet however they’ve flying out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for missions over Gaza.
Between December and June they accomplished greater than 250 flights, a couple of a day.
The planes are operated by the RAF’s 14 Squadron which was fashioned throughout World Conflict One and fought within the Sinai and Palestine marketing campaign.
The Squadron counts Gaza and Palestine amongst its many battle honours and its motto is written in Arabic. It means, “‘I unfold my wings and maintain my promise.”
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