In another act of collective punishment upon the people of Gaza, the Israeli government announced on March 2nd, 2025 that it will resume the blockage of all aid into the Gaza Strip. The decision came as the first phase of the ceasefire expired—Israel refused to proceed with the second phase of the ceasefire, which called for full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Instead, Israel suggested a US-drafted plan to extend the first phase of the ceasefire, a delay tactic which was not outlined in the original ceasefire agreement and indeed, ran contra to the agreement. The already fragile and continuously breached ceasefire agreement was once again violated by Israel. Israel's refusal to begin negotiations on the second phase was largely tied to its refusal allow mobile homes into Gaza despite the responsibility to do so under the agreement. This denial has left infants exposed to harsh winter conditions without shelter, ultimately resulting in the deaths of seven Gazan infants so far. ​

As the fragile ceasefire in Gaza holds, despite Israel continuously violating it, the Israeli Defense Forces have ramped up their operations in the West Bank. Another child tragically made headlines 11 days ago, on January 28th, when he was shot by an Israeli sniper during a raid on Tulkarm. The last name in the headlines was a familiar one, Rajab. Rajab is a common family name across the Arab world; hence, Hind and Saddam are not directly related; in a harrowing display of impunity, the two children shared the experience of being targeted by the IDF simply because they are both Palestinians. Hind and Saddam are not connected by familial ties, but by the systematic violence that the IDF inflicts on the Palestinian population as a whole.

​On Monday, January 27th, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new raid into Tulkarm in the northern occupied West Bank. The Palestinian News and Information Agency, WAFA, reported that Israeli soldiers were stationed in front of the Martyr Dr. Thabet Thabet Hospital, obstructing the work of ambulances while interrogating their medical crews. WAFA also reported that IDF snipers were not only deployed on the roofs of several buildings and homes, but had also seized dozens of civilian homes, both inside and outside of Tulkarm camp, turning them into military outposts. Meanwhile, other soldiers blew up several shops, houses, and local properties.​

Dyab Abou Jahjah, president of the Hind Rajab Foundation, has filed a criminal complaint in Belgium against Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli for making terrorist threats against him. Chikli’s January 6, 2025, social media post referenced a deadly incident and threatened Mr. Abou Jahjah to intimidate him into halting his advocacy for justice in Gaza. The complaint argues that the threats constitute terrorism under Belgian law. It also asserts that Chikli is not immune from prosecution. Following this, Chikli canceled his visit to Brussels, fearing arrest after Belgian authorities confirmed he has no diplomatic immunity.

Read the full statement here.

Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, who previously issued threats against the Hind Rajab Foundation's president Dyab Abou Jahjah, has canceled his scheduled visit to Brussels, citing "security concerns."

We believe this decision reflects an attempt to evade justice and legal accountability rather than genuine safety considerations. This development underscores the importance of continuing to hold all Israeli war criminals — perpetrators, inciters, and accomplices — accountable for their actions and ensuring that impunity is not tolerated.

Responding to a post by Abou Jahjah in early January 2025, Chikli wrote: "Hello to our human rights activist. Watch your pager." This remark refers to Israel's 2024 attack in Lebanon, where explosive devices were detonated via pagers, resulting in thousands of casualties. In response, Abou Jahjah announced plans to pursue legal action against Chikli, citing the severity of the threat, especially given its source from a government official. This occurred shortly after the Hind Rajab Foundation filed a lawsuit in Brazil against an Israeli soldier accused of war crimes in Gaza.

The Hind Rajab Foundation is resolute in its pursuit of a future where accountability prevails, and justice is not merely an aspiration but a tangible reality. We stand firm in our commitment to ending Israeli impunity, achieving justice, and ensuring that the legacy of those lost is honored.

The legal action by the Hind Rajab Foundation against Major General Ghassan Alian in Italy had a significant impact. ​Reports indicate that a confidential meeting Alian was scheduled to attend with a highly placed official at the Vatican did not go through, as it was apparently canceled by the Vatican following the HRF's complaint filed against him at the ICC and with Italian authorities on January 13, 2025. Notably, Alian did meet with the head of Italian intelligence during his visit.

​This highlights the effectiveness of our actions and demonstrates that the global push for accountability and justice cannot be ignored.

Alian’s Role in Atrocities
Since April 2021, Alian has led the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), overseeing the West Bank’s administration and Gaza’s blockade. Following October 7, 2023, he enforced a total siege on Gaza, cutting off food, water, electricity, and medical supplies. This deliberate deprivation has resulted in mass starvation, civilian deaths, and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals.

Under Alian’s leadership, COGAT coordinated military actions targeting civilian infrastructure and imposing collective punishment on Gaza, actions described by the UN and human rights groups as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Read more about the complaint: HRF Demands Immediate Arrest of Major General Ghassan Alian in Rome.