ARMS shipments to Israel have passed through British airspace while the country continues its assault on Gaza, Declassified UK revealed today.

The investigative website found that eight flights had flown over British airspace carrying over 50 tonnes of munitions to Israel between October and March this year. 

Sniper ammunition, explosives for use in military aircraft, and detonators, were among the cargos.

Information about the flights were obtained by Belgian NGO Peace Action from a freedom of information request.

Flights headed to Israel had departed from New York and entered Britain’s sovereign airspace, flying over Wales and exiting via Dover.

Declassified pointed out that such flights typically require special clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority, indicating Britain may have approved the passage of arms shipments. 

It said the Civil Aviation Authority had not yet responded on whether it granted the requests. 

It is not clear if there have been more flights since March.

Commenting on reports that weapons had been transported through Irish airspace without permission, Taoiseach Simon Harris said it was an “issue of concern” and that he expected an update on a probe into the matter “shortly.”

Britain’s Foreign Office admitted earlier this week there was a “clear risk” that Israel might be using imported arms to “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

The government will suspend 30 out of 350 of Britain’s arms exports licences to Israel, although components for the F-35 fighter jets which are made under a global programme have been exempt.

The fighter jets have been used in Israel’s relentless attack, and NGO Danwatch recently confirmed that F-35 had been used to murder at least 90 people in an Israeli-designated “safe zone” in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza.