Fact Check: Less than an hour after the UK and 25 other nations issue calls to "end the war" in Gâzâ , another British surveillance aircraft departed RAF Akrotiri, continuing the flow of military. intelligence to Iš r â ël .

Fact-Check Article: UK Surveillance Aircraft and Calls to End the War in Gaza

What We Know

The claim states that "less than an hour after the UK and 25 other nations issue calls to 'end the war' in Gaza, another British surveillance aircraft departed RAF Akrotiri, continuing the flow of military intelligence to Israel."

1. The UK government has been involved in military operations related to the Gaza conflict, including the deployment of surveillance aircraft from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Since December 2023, the RAF has conducted over 500 surveillance flights over Gaza, primarily using Shadow R1 aircraft, which are claimed to assist in locating hostages taken by Hamas (Declassified UK).

2. The UK has faced criticism for its military support to Israel, particularly regarding arms sales and intelligence sharing. Reports indicate that British military exports to Israel amounted to £18 million in 2023, and there have been allegations that these arms could be used in violations of international law (BBC News).

3. In the context of the ongoing conflict, both the Conservative and Labour governments have called for a ceasefire, with the Labour Party formally advocating for this in December 2023, two months after the conflict escalated (Wikipedia).

4. The timeline of events indicates that British surveillance flights have continued even during periods of heightened conflict, suggesting that military operations and diplomatic calls for peace can coexist (Counterfire).

Analysis

The claim about the timing of the surveillance aircraft's departure in relation to international calls for peace is partially substantiated by the available evidence.

• Timing of Events: The assertion that a British surveillance aircraft departed shortly after calls for a ceasefire aligns with reports of ongoing military operations. The UK government has maintained a dual approach of supporting Israel militarily while also publicly advocating for a ceasefire (Declassified UK, Wikipedia). However, the specific timing of the aircraft's departure relative to the calls for peace was not detailed in the sources.

• Source Reliability: The sources used in this analysis vary in reliability. Mainstream media outlets like the BBC provide a more balanced view, while independent sources such as Declassified UK and Counterfire offer critical perspectives on government actions and media coverage. The latter sources highlight a perceived lack of transparency and accountability regarding military operations, which could indicate a bias against the UK government's stance (Declassified UK, Counterfire).

• Military Operations vs. Diplomatic Efforts: The UK government's simultaneous military support for Israel and calls for a ceasefire reflect a complex and often contradictory stance. While the government has publicly condemned violence and called for humanitarian pauses, it has also continued military operations that support Israel's military objectives (Wikipedia, BBC News).

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the ongoing military operations of the UK in Gaza, it lacks specific evidence regarding the exact timing of the aircraft's departure in relation to international calls for an end to hostilities. The UK government's dual approach of military support coupled with calls for peace is evident, but the nuances of timing and intent require further clarification.

Sources

1. United Kingdom and the Gaza war
2. UK media are covering up British spy flights for Israel
3. Britain's military embrace of Israel's war on Gaza examined
4. RAF flies 250 surveillance flights near Gaza in six months
5. British spy flights over Gaza go undetected by UK media
6. Military Co-operation with Israel - Hansard - UK Parliament
7. Gaza war: Is the UK selling arms to Israel? - BBC News
8. UK media cover up British spy flights to israel