In response to the hostage situation orchestrated by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the UK Ministry of Defense announced plans to conduct surveillance flights over Israel and Gaza. This initiative aims to locate hostages, including British nationals, following the terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
"The UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who have been kidnapped. The safety of British nationals is our utmost priority," the Ministry stated.
The UK will conduct surveillance flights above Gaza to provide intelligence to the IDF as part of hostage rescue efforts.
— Edward (@DonKlericuzio) December 3, 2023
Surveillance aircraft "will be unarmed, do not have a combat role, and will be tasked solely to locate hostages". pic.twitter.com/yqbwwn2xOX
These surveillance operations will take place over the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on airspace over Israel and Gaza. The Ministry emphasized the non-combative nature of these missions: "Surveillance aircraft will be unarmed, do not have a combat role, and will be tasked solely to locate hostages. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities responsible for hostage rescue."
The attacks by Hamas on October 7 led to 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and the taking of over 240 hostages, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Israel's history. In retaliation, Israel launched air and ground offensives against Gaza, resulting in over 16,000 Palestinian casualties, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.
A recent humanitarian pause, facilitated by Qatar, saw the release of 105 hostages in exchange for 210 Palestinian prisoners. However, the ceasefire broke down last Friday, reigniting the conflict.
What are UK aircraft doing in Gaza?
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 3, 2023
The UK has sent 'unmanned and unarmed surveillance drones into the region to help look for hostages', says @VictoriaMAtkins - adding
'we want to do everything we can to find the hostages'.https://t.co/OJ1vfbTiwm
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/dvdqLs7AoT
US Military Responses and Iranian Involvements
Amid these developments, the US military intercepted an Iranian drone in the Gulf, deemed to be operating in an unsafe manner. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported: "Aircraft from Dwight D Eisenhower Carrier Air Wing intercepts an Iranian UAV operating in an unsafe and unprofessional manner during aircraft carrier flight operations in the Gulf. The US Navy will continue to fly and sail where international law allows." No further details were released, and Iran has not commented on the incident.
🇺🇲US Army's Central Command publishes a photo of an Iranian drone shortly before it was intercepted by the aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Persian Gulf. pic.twitter.com/5ezt3oViZi
— Ellen Jean Abare (@EllenJeanAbare) December 3, 2023
The US has also increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying two carrier strike groups, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, to support Israel and deter Iranian and Hezbollah activities. This deployment followed the USS Carney's engagement of an Iranian-produced drone near Yemen.
CENTCOM detailed this encounter: "At approximately 1100 (Sanaa time), while in the South Red Sea, the USS Carney (DDG 64) shot down an Iranian-produced KAS-04 unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Although its intentions are not known, the UAV was heading toward the warship."
The USS Carney has intercepted and destroyed an #Iranian-produced KAS-04 UAV in the South Red Sea, the #US CENTCOM announced. Launched from Houthi-controlled areas of #Yemen, the UAV's intentions remained unclear as it approached the warship. At the time, USS Carney was escorting… pic.twitter.com/xm9ViqtUKL
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) November 30, 2023
The USS Carney was escorting military supplies to the region at the time, and no US personnel were injured, nor was there any damage to US vessels.
