Proof of potential battle crimes collected by British spy planes working over Gaza could possibly be handed to the Worldwide Legal Court docket, the UK has confirmed.
The Royal Air Drive (RAF) is reported to have flown a whole bunch of missions over and close to the war-torn territory since December, gathering intelligence to assist in the hunt for hostages kidnapped from Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) mentioned the Shadow R1 surveillance plane – which additionally fly over Israel in addition to worldwide air house – are purely tasked with gathering data to help Israel’s operation to seek out its hostages.
The spy planes are usually not concerned in gathering intelligence for another side of the battle towards Hamas, which has resulted within the dying of tens of hundreds of Palestinians, together with ladies and youngsters.
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Pic: SAC Frankie Ling//UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022
Nevertheless, a spokesperson mentioned that the UK would take into account a request from worldwide investigators handy over any proof the RAF spy planes have collected which may reveal proof of battle crimes.
The spokesperson mentioned: “In line with our international obligations, we would consider any formal request from the International Criminal Court to provide information relating to investigations into war crimes.”
It’s understood that no such request has but been made.
The prosecutor of the Worldwide Legal Court docket in Might mentioned he’s in search of arrest warrants towards Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, for alleged battle crimes.
He was additionally in search of arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh – who’ve since been killed in Israeli strikes – in addition to Mohammed Deif.
Israel claims to have killed him as properly however that has not been confirmed by Hamas.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant. Pic: Reuters
The Israeli leaders and the Hamas militants are accused of battle crimes and crimes towards humanity.
Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant are additionally accused of “starvation of civilians as a method of warfare” and “intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population” from 8 October final 12 months – a day after the Hamas terrorist assault towards Israel that triggered the battle, which killed round 1,200 folks.
The MOD mentioned the UK armed forces are “not a participant in the conflict”.
RAF plane are additionally not concerned in flying weapons to Israel to assist the battle effort.
“Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals, with the RAF routinely conducting unarmed flights since December 2023 for this sole purpose,” the MOD spokesperson mentioned.
“As a matter of principle, we only provide intelligence to our allies where we are satisfied that it will be used in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, and in this instance only information relating to hostage rescue is passed to the Israeli authorities.”
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The UK Defence Journal web site reported in June that knowledge compiled by a Canadian analysis marketing consultant who tracks planes and ships revealed that the Royal Air Drive has performed greater than 250 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sorties close to Gaza since 3 December 2023.
Al Jazeera reported this week that the RAF had performed greater than 600 flights.
