HRF Files Criminal Complaint in Greece Against Israeli Soldier Oran Rubin for War Crimes and Genocide

1 September 2026, Brussels, Belgium/Athens, Greece — The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), through its lawyer Evgenia Kouniaki, a member of the Athens Lawyers’ Alternative Intervention, has filed a criminal complaint in Greece against Oran Rubin, an Israeli soldier who served with the 424th “Shaked” Battalion of the Givati Brigade, for war crimes and genocide.

Rubin’s battalion operated as part of the 401st Brigade Combat Team. Evidence documented by HRF places Rubin at two sites of large-scale destruction in Gaza. The suspect is currently present in Athens.

The Destruction of Palestine Square, Rimal Neighborhood, Gaza City

On 5 December 2023, Israeli forces took control of Palestine Square, the commercial heart of the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. Over the following weeks, they systematically destroyed the civilian district surrounding the square, first with tanks, bulldozers, and fire, and later through the controlled demolition of buildings that remained standing. An Israeli flag and a Hanukkah display were erected over the ruins of what had once been a densely populated civilian district including homes, shops, government buildings, and a school for deaf children.

During this period, Rubin posted photographs of himself posing atop the ruins of Palestine Square.

The Burning and Destruction of Al-Taqwa Mosque, Gaza City

Photographs show Rubin in front of and inside Al-Taqwa Mosque after Israeli forces took full control of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. There are also photographs showing soldiers from Rubin’s battalion posing inside the mosque after setting it on fire, while satellite imagery reveals that the mosque was completely destroyed between 26 and 31 December 2023.

Al-Taqwa Mosque was a major community mosque and landmark in the densely populated Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, with capacity for thousands of worshipers. The mosque had previously been attacked by Israeli forces in January 2009 and was subsequently rebuilt and reopened after extensive reconstruction in 2021, only to be destroyed by Israeli forces two years later.

Oran Rubin photographed himself standing on the rubble of Palestine Square and inside a destroyed mosque, openly associating himself with the destruction in Gaza.

The Complaint

The complaint alleges that Rubin’s conduct may constitute the following war crimes:

• Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion and against civilian objects (Rome Statute, Articles 8(2)(b)(ix) and 8(2)(b)(ii));
• Extensive destruction of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly (Geneva Convention IV, Article 147; Rome Statute, Article 8(2)(a)(iv));
• Attacking undefended towns, dwellings, and buildings which are not military objectives (Rome Statute, Article 8(2)(b)(v)).

At the time of their destruction, the buildings and sites concerned were under full Israeli control and retained their protected status as civilian objects. The complaint further alleges that, when considered within the broader systematic destruction of civilian life and infrastructure in Gaza, the acts documented in this case also constitute genocide, namely, the deliberate infliction on the Palestinian group in Gaza of conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction, in whole or in part (Rome Statute, Article 6(c)).

Dyab Abou Jahjah, Director General at HRF

“Greek Courts have already shown that they are willing to investigate serious international crimes, with two investigations opened following HRF’s complaints. Now, with a suspect physically present on Greek soil, Greece has a concrete opportunity, and a responsibility, to pursue accountability.

This is all the more urgent when individuals accused of genocide can enter Greece, vacation alongside Greek citizens, and leave without facing arrest or any meaningful legal consequences. Greece must decide whether it stands with international justice or whether its territory will remain open to suspected war criminals.”

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF:

“Oran Rubin photographed himself standing on the rubble of Palestine Square and inside a destroyed mosque, openly associating himself with the destruction in Gaza. These images are emblematic of a broader culture of impunity: soldiers publicly documenting and celebrating their participation in a genocide, confident that there will be no consequences.

The fact that such material can be produced and shared without any consequence highlights the urgent need for effective investigations and accountability. ”

Greece has the opportunity to stand on the side of international law, justice, and humanity

HRF calls on the Greek authorities to open an investigation without delay, question the suspect, and take all measures within their power, including arrest and referral for prosecution, to prevent him from leaving Greek territory. No one suspected of war crimes should be able to find safe haven from accountability in Europe.