More than 800 UK-based legal professionals, including two former Supreme Court justices, have called on the British government to take stronger action against Israel over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the group of 828 lawyers, judges, and academics urged the UK to use "all available means" to halt the conflict. Their recommendations include suspending trade relations, imposing financial and travel sanctions on Israeli ministers, and reviewing the UK-Israel 2030 Roadmap agreement.

The letter describes the situation in Gaza as a “worsening catastrophe” and alleges that Israel’s recent actions amount to genocide or, at minimum, pose a serious risk of it occurring. The lawyers cite Israel's blockade on food and aid, coupled with intense military operations since mid-May, which have reportedly killed hundreds of Palestinians in recent weeks.

Among the signatories are former Supreme Court Justices Lord Wilson and Lord Sumption, as well as leading legal academics from Oxford and Cambridge. The group asserts that the UK, as a party to the Genocide Convention and a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is legally obliged to act to prevent genocide and prosecute those responsible.

The 36-page letter follows a wave of international criticism toward Israel's military conduct. Last week, the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning what they called the “egregious” expansion of Israeli operations. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused those countries of siding with Hamas and defended the offensive as a mission to rescue remaining hostages.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Israel’s latest military escalation as "morally unjustifiable." The UK has since paused trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador, and issued new sanctions targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

The legal experts are now urging further steps, including immediate sanctions on Israeli officials accused of unlawful conduct and the suspension of bilateral agreements. They also emphasized the UK’s duty to cooperate with the ICC in executing any arrest warrants. Netanyahu currently faces war crimes allegations at the court, charges he strongly denies.

This marks the group’s second major letter since the war began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed over 54,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, including nearly 4,000 since operations resumed in March after a brief ceasefire.

Concerns about the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel have prompted a judicial review in the High Court.

Meanwhile, international pressure continues to mount. Germany, Finland, and Sweden have all urged Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, with leaders calling the current situation a “human catastrophe” and denouncing the civilian toll of the conflict.