More than six thousand French nationals are reported to have served in the Israeli army during the genocidal war waged on Gaza, raising serious legal and moral questions in Europe. The figures point to extensive participation by individuals holding multiple nationalities, many of whom are believed to have been deployed during the most destructive phases of the campaign that began in late 2023.

The majority of those involved reportedly held dual citizenship, while a smaller number possessed three or more nationalities. Legal experts have warned that when nationals of European states take part in military units accused of grave violations, their home countries carry obligations under international law to examine whether crimes were committed and whether prosecutions are required. Failure to act, they argue, risks breaching duties linked to the prevention and punishment of atrocities.

In France, rights groups and legal organisations have already initiated complaints against individuals alleged to have been involved in the killing of civilians in Gaza. Separate legal actions have also followed the circulation of footage showing Palestinian prisoners displaying clear signs of abuse, prompting calls for judicial investigations into the conduct of those implicated. Despite this, French authorities have yet to release official data on how many of their nationals served, and no public confirmation of active investigations has been made.

Similar concerns have emerged in the United Kingdom, where thousands of dual nationals are also believed to have joined the Israeli army, triggering demands from lawyers and human rights advocates for accountability. The largest foreign contingent is said to come from the United States, intensifying international scrutiny over the role played by foreign nationals in a genocidal war that has devastated Gaza and its civilian population.