UK military aircraft granted access to Palestinian airspace

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Royal Air Force aircraft were granted access to Palestinian airspace on 18 and 19 February 2026.

Responding to a written parliamentary question from Zarah Sultana MP, Defence Minister Al Carns said RAF aircraft were authorised to transit the relevant Flight Information Regions under routine diplomatic procedures. He stated that the aircraft were granted overflight of the designated areas “under routine Diplomatic Flight Clearance procedures” and that the Ministry of Defence “also had permission from the Palestinian Authority for overflight of Palestinian airspace.”

According to the minister, RAF aircraft transited Israel and Palestine on the two dates in question to undertake missions linked to Operation Shader. He said: “RAF aircraft transited Israel and Palestine on 18 and 19 February 2026 to undertake missions related to Operation Shader.”

More broadly, he confirmed, “The Ministry of Defence has permission from the Palestinian Authority to transit and overfly Palestinian airspace.”

Operation Shader

Operation Shader is the name given to the United Kingdom’s contribution to the international campaign against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. It began in August 2014, when the RAF started conducting air operations in support of Iraqi forces following the group’s rapid territorial expansion. The mission was later extended to Syria.

The operation has involved a range of RAF aircraft, including fast jets, remotely piloted systems and air-to-air refuelling tankers. In addition to strike missions, UK assets have carried out surveillance and reconnaissance sorties, gathering intelligence and providing situational awareness for coalition partners.

Although Daesh lost control of its self-declared territory in 2019, the operation has continued in a reduced but ongoing capacity. UK aircraft still conduct missions designed to counter residual extremist activity and support regional stability.