EU Delays Satellite Imagery Over Gaza and Parts of West Bank for Security Reasons

The European Space Agency's freely available Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 satellites are experiencing a 24-hour delay in releasing imagery over the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, according to an analysis by Bellingcat. This delay affects researchers' ability to observe real-time developments in these areas promptly.

For instance, recent demolitions carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Hebron could have been quickly verified through satellite imagery captured on October 26. However, due to the imposed delay, new images covering western Hebron were only available on October 27, hindering immediate fact-checking and reporting.

An EU spokesperson confirmed that the delay is not linked to events in Gaza but rather aimed at mitigating potential threats stemming from conflicts in the Middle East, including Iran's actions against its neighbors and possible dangers to European interests. The affected region includes parts of Israel, the West Bank, and extends over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

This policy was first implemented earlier this year during US and Israeli strikes on Iran, when a similar delay was imposed over the Gulf of Oman. However, the current restrictions impacting Gaza and parts of the West Bank have not been previously reported or announced publicly.

The EU's decision to impose these delays is made collectively by all member states and will remain in effect as long as deemed necessary for security reasons. Despite the Copernicus program’s free and open data policy, there are acknowledged limitations due to security concerns.

When questioned about whether the delay was related to the presence of US vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean or if other areas were similarly affected, the EU spokesperson declined further comment.

Satellite imagery provided by Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 has become an invaluable resource for researchers monitoring developments in conflict zones. This year, commercial satellite imagery providers have restricted access to certain regions of the Middle East, particularly those with significant human rights concerns like Gaza.

In July 2026, the EU published Council Decision 2026/1716, which ordered a 24-hour delay on Sentinel imagery over the Gulf of Oman following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. However, just two weeks later, this decision was unpublished from official records despite satellite data indicating the delay continued.

This recent revelation marks one of several instances where Sentinel imagery has been restricted since 2025, including delays in the Gulf of Aden/western Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and now the Eastern Mediterranean region encompassing parts of Israel and the West Bank.