The United Kingdom has concluded its surveillance flights over Gaza, ending a nearly two-year operation aimed at locating hostages taken during the October seventh attacks. Defense Secretary John Healey commended the professionalism of British personnel, emphasizing that the missions were unarmed and focused solely on hostage rescue efforts. The final flight occurred just before the recent ceasefire, which Healey described as a moment of profound relief for civilians and hostages alike.

Throughout the program, the Ministry of Defense maintained that intelligence shared with Israel was strictly limited to hostage rescue operations and not for military use. However, the initiative faced criticism from rights groups and opposition politicians, who raised concerns about oversight and the potential misuse of intelligence. Reports also highlighted internal concerns within the Ministry of Defense about operational control, especially after a technical error revealed the involvement of United States contractors.

Despite assurances from the government that strict controls were in place, some legal experts and lawmakers questioned whether the United Kingdom could guarantee that its intelligence would not be used in broader military operations. The conclusion of the flights marks the end of a controversial chapter in the United Kingdom's involvement in the Gaza conflict.