 The Suspect Planting Explosives In A Civilian Building In Gaza Lima/Peru In a landmark development for international justice, the Republic of Peru has formally opened a criminal investigation against an Israeli national accused of participating in the genocide in Gaza, following a legal complaint submitted by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF). The complaint was filed by Julio César Arbizu González, a prominent Peruvian human rights lawyer and legal counsel to the Foundation. The individual under investigation served as a combat engineering soldier in the Israeli military and is alleged to have played a direct role in the methodical and systematic destruction of civilian neighbourhoods in the Gaza Strip during the 2023–2024 military offensive. The complaint, supported by audiovisual documentation and open-source intelligence, accuses the soldier of engaging in actions that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide. This step by Peruvian authorities is of immense significance in the global pursuit of justice. It is not only an affirmation of Peru’s adherence to the principles of international humanitarian and criminal law, but also a decisive recognition that universal jurisdiction must be exercised—not merely acknowledged—when those responsible for international crimes are found within a state’s territory. Crucially, this case highlights the central role played by the Combat Engineering Corps of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the implementation of Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinian population of Gaza. Far from being a support unit, the Engineering Corps has acted as a core operational arm of destruction, systematically reducing civilian areas to rubble, erasing entire communities, and rendering large swathes of Gaza uninhabitable. This unit, through its actions, has become one of the primary mechanisms of the genocidal machine.
In response, the Hind Rajab Foundation has undertaken a comprehensive legal offensive targeting this formation. To date, the Foundation has prepared hundreds of individual case files against members of the Combat Engineering Corps. These cases are being progressively submitted before competent national jurisdictions in countries across multiple continents, with more filings to follow in the weeks and months ahead. The opening of this investigation in Peru demonstrates that the HRF’s legal actions against travelling Israeli soldiers are not symbolic gestures—they yield tangible legal consequences. It is a powerful precedent, affirming that no perpetrator of atrocity crimes should feel shielded by distance or diplomatic complacency. The Hind Rajab Foundation calls upon all states—particularly those that are parties to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute—to follow Peru’s example by initiating proceedings against individuals implicated in the Gaza genocide who may enter their jurisdictions. “Justice is not optional. Justice is imperative,” said Dyab Abou Jahjah, Chairman of the Hind Rajab Foundation. “This investigation marks a decisive step in the dismantling of Israeli impunity" he added. The Hind Rajab Foundation will continue to pursue all responsible individuals—wherever they are, and for as long as it takes—because only justice can lay the foundation for lasting peace and human dignity in Palestine and beyond. Comments are closed.
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PERPETRATORS
A perpetrator of war crimes or crimes against humanity is an individual who directly engages in, orders, or facilitates acts that constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law .
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