The UK government has officially confirmed that a small number of British soldiers participated in training exercises inside Israel during its ongoing genocidal war in Gaza. Parliamentary undersecretary for veterans’ affairs Al Kearns stated that fewer than five members of the British armed forces attended educational courses in Israeli military academies since October 2023.

This is the first time London has acknowledged direct military cooperation with Israeli forces while hostilities continue in Gaza, where thousands have been killed or injured and vast areas destroyed. The disclosure has raised questions over the appropriateness of maintaining military links amid widespread allegations of serious violations against civilians.

Retired British General Charlie Herbert described the revelation as “completely exceptional,” arguing that, given the reports of potential war crimes by Israeli political and military leaders, such exchanges should have been suspended immediately. The news comes amid growing scrutiny of Western governments’ military and diplomatic support for Israel during its operations in Gaza.