The U.S. military is flying surveillance drones over the Gaza Strip, according to two Defense Department officials and an analysis by The New York Times.
The officials said the drones were being used to aid in hostage recovery efforts, indicating that the U.S. is more involved than previously known.
While Israel frequently conducts reconnaissance flights over Gaza, U.S. defense officials said it was believed to be the first time that U.S. drones have flown missions over Gaza.
The unarmed surveillance flights are not supporting Israeli military operations on the ground, according to the Defense Department officials.
But the surveillance flights suggest that the Pentagon is taking a more active role in a key I.D.F.
Persons:
Amelia Smith, Smith loitered
Organizations:
U.S, Defense Department, The New York Times, U.S . Special Operations, Pentagon, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, American, The Times, U.S . Air Force’s
Locations:
Gaza, U.S, Israel, Gaza , U.S, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria