From 2014 Atrocities to Genocide Advocacy: HRF Files Case Against Ofer Winter in Italy

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) filed a criminal complaint this morning in Italy against former Israeli military commander Ofer Winter, alleging responsibility for war crimes committed during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge and incitement to commit genocide in relation to the current war in Gaza.

The filing is accompanied by a detailed investigative report, which is partly made available in this article. The report compiles documentary evidence, including public statements, and provides analysis of Winter’s conduct. The complaint comes as Winter is expected to travel to Italy next week to participate in public events where he is scheduled to speak.

Background of the Complaint

Ofer Winter is a senior military commander whose actions span multiple Israeli military operations in Gaza, including the 2014 Operation Protective Edge.

Drawing on the accompanying investigative report, the filing establishes continuity between past and present conduct, arguing that the same criminal behavior, disregard for civilian life, and ideological framing characterize Winter’s actions throughout his military and public career.

The Rafah “Black Friday” Massacre

A central component of the complaint concerns the events of 1 August 2014 in Rafah, known as “Black Friday.” Following the capture of an Israeli soldier, Winter ordered the activation of the Hannibal Directive, triggering a large-scale and indiscriminate assault on a densely populated civilian area.

According to HRF’s complaint:

Thousands of artillery shells were fired across urban areas within hours;

Airstrikes, drones, and tank fire targeted roads and civilian movement;

Civilians were indiscriminately—and in some cases deliberately—targeted, leading to up to 200 civilian deaths in three days;

Ambulances and medical teams were struck, preventing the evacuation of the wounded.

Ofer Winter, who was commander of the Givati Brigade and in charge of the Rafah area at the time of the attack, is specifically alleged to be responsible for the crimes committed during the attack, particularly:

The attack on Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital on 1 August 2014;

The attack on al-Birr wa’l-Taqwa Mosque and the ambulances retrieving the wounded therefrom on 1 August 2014;

The attack on UNRWA Boys’ Prep School ‘A’ on 3 August 2014.

Ofer Winter: commander in the 2014 Rafah Black Friday massacre, now a propagandist for genocide.

Evidence of Incitement to Commit Genocide

Since 2025, Ofer Winter has published multiple videos on Instagram in which he expressed support for the destruction of Gaza, as well as its occupation through forced removal, siege, and starvation of the Palestinian population.

The filing lists Winter’s most relevant public statements, which:

Criticize the current military strategy as insufficiently harsh;

Call for emptying Gaza through forced deportation or starvation of the Palestinian people, framing these measures as necessary for military victory, strategic deterrence, and the security of Israeli soldiers and citizens;

Blur or deny the distinction between civilians and combatants;

Explicitly reject the relevance of international law in military operations.

Examples from Winter’s statements include:

“The end game needs to be no Palestinians in Gaza.”

“Victory will occur when there are no more Arabs in Gaza.”

“But the law in the State of Israel must draw its authority from the values of the Jewish people, not from the inventions and legal sophistry of the international court. The source of our values is not The Hague. (…) Likewise: ‘If someone comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first.’ And yes, it is necessary to devastate Gaza because destroying houses is essential for protecting our soldiers.”

In this context, his upcoming visit to Italy to speak publicly is part of a broader effort to legitimize and disseminate narratives that incite the commission of genocide.

Legal Qualification

The complaint qualifies the alleged conduct during Operation Protective Edge as:

Wilful killing (Article 8(2)(a)(i), Rome Statute);

Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, i.e., objects that are not military objectives (Article 8(2)(b)(ii), Rome Statute);

Attacking or bombarding, by whatever means, towns, villages, dwellings, or buildings that are undefended and are not military objectives (Article 8(2)(b)(v), Rome Statute);

Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science, or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals, and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives (Article 8(2)(b)(ix), Rome Statute);

Intentionally launching an attack knowing that it will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or widespread, long-term, and severe damage to the natural environment, which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated (Article 8(2)(b)(iv), Rome Statute);

Intentionally directing attacks against buildings, materials, medical units and transport, and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions in conformity with international law (Article 8(2)(b)(xxiv), Rome Statute).

HRF also submitted that Ofer Winter’s repeated public statements, plans, and advocacy related to the current war constitute direct and public incitement to commit genocide under the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute.

Jurisdiction and Obligations

The filing asserts that Italian authorities have both jurisdiction and a legal obligation to act. Under international law and its incorporation into domestic legal frameworks, states must investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of war crimes when present on their territory.

The complaint therefore calls for the opening of a formal criminal investigation.

HRF’s Position

“These crimes do not have a statute of limitations. What we see today is that individuals who committed war crimes in 2014 are now an integral part of the Israeli genocidal machine operating in Gaza. Ofer Winter is coming to Italy, and Italy is not being asked to evaluate geopolitics, but to apply binding legal obligations triggered automatically by his presence,”

said Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director of the Hind Rajab Foundation.

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF, added:

“Ofer Winter, who committed war crimes throughout his career, remains a war criminal. Thanks to his impunity, he is now inciting others to commit genocide. This is why seeking accountability matters: impunity does not merely ignore past crimes; it enables future ones.”

A Broader Strategy Against Impunity

This filing forms part of HRF’s broader global strategy to activate domestic jurisdictions against individuals implicated in international crimes committed in Gaza. By combining investigative reporting with targeted legal action, HRF seeks to ensure that no platform—judicial or public—remains available to those responsible for or promoting such crimes without challenge.

The complaint filed in Italy reinforces a core principle: those who commit, justify, or promote international crimes must face legal consequences wherever they go.