More than 2,000 British nationals served in the Israeli army during the genocidal war on Gaza, according to newly released data that has raised serious legal and political concerns in the United Kingdom. The findings significantly exceed previously known figures and point to a much wider British involvement in Israel’s military campaign.

The figures were revealed in a report published by Declassified UK, based on information obtained through a freedom of information request submitted to Israeli authorities. For the first time, the data includes Israeli soldiers holding dual or multiple nationalities, rather than focusing solely on so-called “lone soldiers”.

According to the report, 1,686 Israeli-British dual nationals were actively enlisted, alongside 383 individuals holding British, Israeli and at least one additional nationality. Together, they formed part of a broader group of more than 50,000 Israeli soldiers with dual nationality. Earlier public statistics had identified only 54 British “lone soldiers” serving in the Israeli military as of August 2024.

Legal experts warned that the new figures raise profound questions about accountability under international law. Paul Heron, a lawyer at the Public Interest Law Center, said there must be no impunity where credible evidence links British nationals to serious violations of international law. He stressed that authorities are obligated to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute individuals involved in grave crimes.

These revelations come amid growing scrutiny of the UK’s role in Israel’s war on Gaza, including arms exports and political support. Last year, a 240-page complaint was submitted to the war crimes unit of the Metropolitan Police, naming ten British citizens accused of targeted killings of civilians and humanitarian workers, including sniper fire and indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas.