The United Kingdom has been implicated in a covert operation providing intelligence to Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, according to a recent investigation by The Times.

The report reveals that the British Royal Air Force (RAF) has been conducting near-daily surveillance flights over the Gaza Strip since the onset of the Israeli genocide in October 2023, raising serious concerns about complicity in war crimes.

The RAF’s “Shadow R1” reconnaissance aircraft, operating from the UK’s Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, are equipped with advanced electro-optical and radar systems capable of tracking moving targets in densely populated urban areas. These flights, which reportedly focus on locating Israeli prisoners held by Hamas, involve deactivating identification signals to avoid detection, only reactivating them upon return. The intelligence gathered is allegedly shared directly with the Israeli military, which has been accused of indiscriminate bombings targeting residential areas, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps in Gaza.

The revelations have sparked outrage among the British public and human rights advocates, who accuse the UK of enabling war crimes while publicly endorsing Palestinian statehood. “The UK is not just complicit—it is actively enabling war crimes,” said a spokesperson for a London-based pro-Palestine coalition. “Every flight from Akrotiri is another nail in the coffin of international law and British moral standing.”

Critics highlight the contradiction between the UK’s diplomatic gestures—such as expressed support for Palestinian statehood—and its military actions. Protests have erupted across Britain, with activists staging sit-ins and storming military installations, only to face arrests and censorship. International law experts warn that the UK’s intelligence-sharing could violate international humanitarian law, potentially making it liable for complicity in unlawful attacks.

The most recent confirmed flight occurred last month, focusing on Israeli captives, which Israel has often cited as justification for large-scale operations that critics argue result in civilian massacres. With Gaza’s death toll climbing into the tens of thousands, including many women and children, the UK’s role has drawn sharp condemnation.

“They’re not just watching Gaza burn—they’re pointing the flames toward the people,” one activist said. The revelations underscore what many call a pattern of Western duplicity, as the UK continues to support Israel’s military actions while offering rhetorical support for peace. For Palestinians enduring a genocide, these actions represent yet another betrayal by colonial powers obstructing their path to freedom. (ILKHA)