The British website Declassified quoted informed sources stating that the British Labour Government ordered 100 reconnaissance flights over the Gaza Strip to aid Israeli intelligence.
The website clarified that “the average number of spy flights approved by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer amounts to more than one flight per day since he took office.”
It pointed out that “the spy missions, which began in December, continued at a rapid pace, despite the Starmer administration suspending 30 arms export licenses last month.”
Moreover, it reported that “during the Labour Party’s first full month in office in August, the Royal Air Force conducted 42 flights over the war-torn Palestinian territories.”
The report further noted that “the flights took off from Akrotiri, the British airbase in Cyprus, heading towards Gaza.”
On Wednesday, British Defense Secretary John Healy said that British forces played a role in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East following the Iranian missile strike.
He confirmed that his country “fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself and its people.”
British media reported that Britain maintains a large military base in Cyprus and that British fighter jets participated in supporting Israel during the attack on Tuesday night.
Britain had played a similar role last April when Iran attacked Israel with missiles and drones, with reports at the time suggesting that Royal Air Force jets helped shoot down some of the drones.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy had previously warned Iran “against actions that could push the region to the brink,” adding that “an escalation spiral serves no one’s interest.”
Earlier, defense experts revealed that the British Armed Forces are incapable of protecting “Israel” from Iranian ballistic missile attacks, confirming that the recent Iranian assault exposed this vulnerability.
The Daily Telegraph quoted experts as saying that the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon jets lack the necessary weaponry to repel an attack like the one Iran launched on Tuesday, when it fired about 200 long-range missiles in its largest attack yet on “Israel.”
Former Defense Secretary Sir Ben Wallace noted that Britain’s Type 45 anti-missile destroyers would also face difficulties in responding, while sources claimed that the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier groups lacked sufficient sailors to operate effectively in a war zone.
Experts fear that military underinvestment could weaken Britain’s ability to play a leading role in global events, warning that this leaves the country vulnerable.
Retired naval commander Tom Sharp commented: “Our involvement (in responding to Iran) was disappointing and reflects 40 years of underfunding.”
