• UK Ministry of Defence’s refusal to release Gaza airstrike footage sparks demands for transparency and support for war crimes investigations.
• Secret Operations Unveiled: RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus used by US and Israel for covert Gaza operations, raising transparency concerns.
In a contentious decision, the UK government is withholding crucial surveillance footage from an RAF aircraft that was monitoring Gaza on a tragic day when Israeli airstrikes killed seven international aid workers, including three British veterans. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has classified this footage on the grounds of national security, despite its potential to shed light on the circumstances of the attack.
The incident occurred during a period of intense conflict in Gaza, sparking a heated debate over transparency and accountability. The families of the deceased aid workers are urgently calling for the release of the footage, believing it could provide essential insights into the events that led to the deadly strike. They argue that the footage should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to support investigations into possible war crimes.
Sources suggest that the surveillance footage could either confirm or refute Israeli claims that Hamas militants were present near the convoy at the time of the attack—claims often used to justify military actions resulting in civilian casualties. By withholding the footage, the MoD faces accusations of obstructing justice and failing to uphold international legal standards.
Human rights organisations and legal experts have also called for the footage’s release, stressing the importance of transparency in military operations. They argue that the MoD’s decision undermines efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and erodes public trust in governmental institutions. Matt Kennard from Declassified UK has highlighted the broader implications of the UK’s support for Israel’s military actions, noting that the UK has flown over 200 spy missions over Gaza in support of Israel since 2014.
Use of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus by US and Israel
Further complicating the issue, Declassified UK has uncovered that RAF Akrotiri, a British airbase in Cyprus, is being used by the US and Israel for military operations related to the conflict in Gaza. Over 30 military transport flights, operated by the RAF, have flown from RAF Akrotiri to Tel Aviv since the recent escalation of violence in Gaza began. The MoD confirmed 17 of these flights but did not disclose the nature of the cargo or personnel onboard.
The US has been using RAF Akrotiri to transport weapons and military equipment to Israel. Notably, 26 marked USAF planes, including large C-17 transport aircraft, have arrived at the base, carrying various types of military equipment.
Additionally, the US has deployed special forces and surveillance drones from the base. The 1st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, a secretive US Air Force unit, operates from Akrotiri, conducting intelligence and reconnaissance missions across the Middle East.
The MoD has refused to provide detailed information about US military operations from Akrotiri, citing national security reasons. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the true extent of military activities and their implications for regional stability.
The Cypriot government has not been informed about the use of RAF Akrotiri for these military operations. This has led to criticism and calls for greater transparency and accountability regarding the use of the base. These revelations underscore the strategic importance of RAF Akrotiri in international military operations and highlight the intricate military and intelligence relationships between the US, UK, and Israel.
A Call for Justice and Truth
In response to the growing outcry, I have submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Ministry of Defence, seeking access to the withheld footage. The goal is to ensure that all available evidence is brought to light, facilitating a thorough and transparent investigation into the tragic events that unfolded in Gaza.
اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ، وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهُ
بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ (O Allah, show us the truth as truth and provide us with following it, and show us falsehood as falsehood and provide us with avoiding it. By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful).
In these challenging times, it is essential for us, my brothers and sisters, to recite this Dua frequently. By doing so, we seek protection from the deceit of false media and lies, and we ask Allah to guide us toward truth and justice.
