Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37040 on Gaza: RAF Akrotiri, whether those flights continued during the ceasefire.

Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages.

RAF aircraft operated in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas when flying in support of hostage recovery. I hope the hon. Gentleman understands that I cannot comment further for reasons of operational security.

To be clear, our priority since day one has been a sustainable ceasefire, and a lasting peace that will over time ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis. There must be a return to dialogue, the remaining hostages must be released, aid must flow into Gaza, and the ceasefire must be reestablished.