On 7th October 2025, a step was taken in the pursuit of justice for the people of Gaza. The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), working alongside the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), filed a detailed submission to the War Crimes Team of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command (SO15).
This is the first such legal initiative of its kind to be submitted in Britain and it presents compelling evidence linking British nationals to some of the gravest crimes under international law—war crimes and crimes against humanity—committed during Israel’s assault on Gaza.
A Groundbreaking Report
The submission, compiled by a team of lawyers based in Britain, including Michael Mansfield KC, and international researchers based in The Hague, sets out a meticulous case for opening a criminal investigation into the role of ten British nationals. These individuals are suspected of participating in or facilitating acts of extreme violence during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, spanning from 7 October 2023 to 31 May 2024.
Due to the sensitive nature of ongoing investigations and in order to avoid prejudicing potential prosecutions, the suspects cannot be publicly named. However, we can confirm that those identified include individuals at officer level within the Israeli military.
Crimes Committed
The report provides a detailed overview of the crimes committed across Gaza, including attacks on densely populated civilian areas, hospitals, schools, and protected cultural and religious sites. It documents the role of specific Israeli military units and the involvement of British citizens who had volunteered for the Israeli Military.
The evidence implicates 10 Britons in:
Testimonies from survivors in Gaza are harrowing. One witness described ‘…dead bodies scattered next to each other’, recounting the horror of lifting a blanket to find ‘…the bodies of my uncle and his son, my nephews, and my brother-in-law along with other displaced people’s bodies.’
War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
The report categorises each of these atrocities as either war crimes or crimes against humanity—offences recognised as core international crimes under international law.
These include murder, torture, and the deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian personnel. The use of banned weapons, including cluster munitions or chemical agents, also falls within this category. The seriousness of these crimes cannot be overstated—they represent some of the worst violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Why the UK Must Act
Under the UK’s international obligations and domestic legislation, there is a clear legal duty to investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by British nationals, regardless of where the offences took place.
Section 51 of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 makes it a criminal offence for any person under the jurisdiction of England and Wales to commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide—even if the crimes were committed abroad.
Additionally, the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 gives effect to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, criminalising “grave breaches” committed in the context of an international armed conflict. These provisions apply to all individuals, regardless of nationality, and impose obligations to act when credible evidence is presented.
Submission to the War Crimes Unit
On 7th October 2025 we met with representatives of the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit to formally present our submission. It is now incumbent upon them to act on the information we have provided. The report offers credible evidence linking the ten British nationals to specific crimes, locations, military units, and actions that fall within the jurisdiction of British courts.
There is no legal or practical barrier to initiating an investigation. Indeed, an investigation is not only possible—it is required by law.
The Road Ahead
We understand that any investigation will take time. But our aim is clear: for the War Crimes Unit to fully investigate the evidence and, where appropriate, move toward applications for arrest warrants and the prosecution of those responsible. We hope that the team at War Crimes Unit at the Met is not only provided with the resources to do the job, but does not face political interference or obstruction – time will tell.
If the evidence stands—as we believe it does—we expect British courts to hear these cases. It is our hope that justice will be served, not only to honour the memory of those who have suffered and died, but also to send a clear message: British nationals cannot participate in grave international crimes with impunity.
We will continue to push for accountability and support the Palestinian people’s demand for justice. War crimes must not be met with silence or complicity. They must be met with law, truth, and justice.
Paul Heron is the Legal Director of the Public Interest Law Centre and a member of the Stop the War Coalition