The U.K. military has relied on U.S. contractors to carry out spy flights over Gaza on behalf of Israel because of a lack of available British aircraft, a report said Thursday.
The U.K. government acknowledged this year that it conducts such flights over the war-ravaged Palestinian territory but claimed they were "solely in support of hostage rescue."
The spy flights appear increasingly at odds with the U.K. government's growing public frustration with Israel over its atrocities in Gaza, and increasing international demands for a cease-fire.
Last week, Britain announced it would formally recognize a Palestinian state if steps, including a cease-fire were not taken by mid-September.
It has suggested the flights are part of its response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Israel.
