US surveillance drones flying over Gaza to help with hostage search
November 3, 2023 | 10:26 a.m. ET
The US military is deploying surveillance drones over Gaza as part of American efforts to assist Israel in locating more than 240 hostages still held by Hamas, according to multiple US officials familiar with the matter.
Following the surprising attack on southern Israel on October 7, which caught both Israeli and US intelligence services off guard, a surge of intelligence assets has been sent to the region. Two MQ-9 Reapers, highly sophisticated drones primarily used for surveillance, were also recorded flying off the coast of Lebanon over the past weekend. The US is closely monitoring for any signs of escalating tensions from Lebanese Hezbollah or other Iranian proxy forces.
While it is uncertain how effective the imagery gathered by the overhead flights in Gaza will be in locating the hostages, as they are believed to be hidden within an extensive network of underground tunnels, US officials maintain that the intelligence shared with Israel is solely focused on hostage recovery efforts and does not involve targeting intelligence for conducting lethal strikes against Hamas leaders or positions.
US special operations personnel inside Israel have been advising the Israeli Defense Forces on hostage recovery efforts, while also providing lethal aid in the form of bombs and other resources. However, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized that the US military is not participating in IDF target development or aiding in their campaign in Gaza.
“We the US military are not participating in IDF target development, helping them run their campaign — just to be crystal clear that it is their operation. That planning element is providing planning and intelligence support as it relates to hostage recovery.” – Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder
Nevertheless, several officials have admitted that the information gathered by the drones and shared with Israel could potentially assist in tracking Hamas’s activities beyond holding hostages.
Israel has faced international criticism for its sustained airstrikes on Gaza in recent weeks, with concerns over the safety of civilians trapped in the blockaded enclave. In addition to the deployment of surveillance drones, the Biden administration sent Marine Corps General James Glynn to advise the IDF on planning its tactical assault on Gaza, though he has since returned to the US.
Among the hostages still held by Hamas, it is believed that 10 of them are Americans.