Met Police reopens probe into British nationals in Gaza

London's Metropolitan Police has reopened its investigation into British nationals who fought with the Israeli military in Gaza, reversing a decision made in April to close the probe. The force confirmed on July 24, 2026, that its War Crimes Team will conduct a fresh assessment of evidence relating to four identifiable British nationals.

The reversal follows a legal challenge by British-Palestinian human rights campaigner Lubna Speitan, who was represented by the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC). Lawyers for Speitan threatened judicial review proceedings after the police initially declined to open a criminal investigation. In correspondence last week, the Metropolitan Police formally withdrew its April decision and agreed to undertake a new "scoping exercise" to determine whether a full investigation is warranted.

The case originates from a 240-page referral submitted to police in April 2025 by the PILC and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR). The dossier alleged that ten British nationals, including dual citizens, committed war crimes and crimes against humanity while serving with the Israel Defense Forces during the conflict in Gaza. The specific accusations...