Israel-Gaza: Britain could hand over potential war crimes evidence collected by RAF spy planes to the International Criminal Court | World News

The UK has confirmed that evidence of potential war crimes collected by British spy planes in the Gaza Strip could be handed over to the International Criminal Court.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has reportedly flown hundreds of sorties over and near the war-torn area since December to gather intelligence to help hunt down kidnapped hostages Israel from Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) said the Shadow R1 surveillance planes – which also fly over Israel and international airspace – were only tasked with gathering intelligence to help Israel find its hostages.

The spy planes are not involved in gathering intelligence on other aspects of the war against Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children.

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However, a spokesman said the UK would consider a request from international investigators to hand over any evidence collected by RAF spy planes that could provide evidence of war crimes.

The spokesman said: “In line with our international obligations, we would consider any formal request from the International Criminal Court to provide information in relation to war crimes investigations.”

It is understood that no such application has yet been made.

The International Criminal Court prosecutor said in May that this was the case They are requesting an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuand Yoav Gallant, the defense minister, for alleged war crimes.

He also called for arrest warrants against Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar And Ismail Haniyeh – who have since been killed in Israeli attacks – as well Mohammed Deif.

Israel claims it also killed him, although this has not been confirmed by Hamas.

Israeli leaders and Hamas fighters are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant have also been accused of “starving civilians as a method of warfare” and “deliberately targeting civilians” since October 8 last year – a day after Hamas’ terror attack against Israel that sparked the war of about 1,200 people killed.

The Ministry of Defense said British forces were “not a participant in the conflict”.

RAF aircraft are also not involved in flying weapons to Israel to support the war effort.

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“Our mandate is narrowly defined and focused solely on the release of the hostages, including British nationals, with the RAF routinely conducting unarmed flights solely for this purpose since December 2023,” the Ministry of Defense spokesman said.

“As a general rule, we only provide information to our allies if we are satisfied that it will be used in accordance with international humanitarian law. In this case, only information related to the hostage rescue will be passed on to the Israeli authorities.”

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The UK Defense Journal website reported in June that data compiled by a Canadian research consultant who tracks aircraft and ships found that the Royal Air Force had carried out more than 250 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions since December 3, 2023. carried out near Gaza.

Al Jazeera reported this week that the RAF had operated more than 600 flights.