A British peace activist who was left brain dead after being shot by an Israeli soldier may have his life support machine turned off.

Tom Hurndall, 22, was shot in the head while rescuing children playing on a mound of rubber close to gunfire in the town of Rafah at the boarder between Gaza and Egypt.

An application to the High Court to have the photographer’s life support machine turned off is expected to be filed by doctors at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney next month, according to reports.

On Sunday Israeli officials announced they plan to investigate Mr Hurndall’s shooting.

His parents, Anthony and Jocelyn Hurndall, have conducted their own investigation into their son’s death. The couple had provided evidence – which the judge agreed had played a crucial role in securing an investigation.

The couple, who live in Tufnell Park, north London, produced eye witness statements, photographs and video evidence, which threw doubt on earlier versions of the incident.

Mrs Hurndall told a press conference at London’s city hall last month, that her son was shot in broad daylight while wearing a bright jacket which clearly identified that he posed no threat.