HRF Files Criminal Complaint in India Against Israeli Soldier for War Crimes and Genocide in Gaza

18 August 2026, Belgium / India – The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a criminal complaint today in India against an Israeli soldier currently vacationing in the country.

The soldier documented his deployment in Gaza and his direct involvement in the unlawful destruction of civilian property during operations in the Khan Younis Governorate. In its filing, HRF alleges that this soldier may have been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.

Extensive Destruction of Civilian Property

The complaint specifically focuses on the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure in Abasan al-Saghira in the Khan Younis Governate between March and April 2024, and identifies the suspect as a member of the unit involved in these criminal acts.

Satellite imagery, social media footage verified by HRF, and open-source intelligence confirm that extensive demolition occurred after Israeli forces had established operational control of the area, rather than because of active combat. This pattern aligns with Amnesty International’s independent findings regarding the “buffer zone” destruction along Gaza’s eastern perimeter and reflects the ongoing expansion of the so-called ‘Yellow Line’ that continues to encroach into Gaza’s territory.

HRF submitted that these acts constitute war crimes under: 

• Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, 
• Article 85(3)(a) of Additional Protocol I,
• Articles 8(2)(a)(iv), 8(2)(b)(ii) and 8(2)(b)(v) of the Rome Statute, and 
• Acts of genocide under Article II(3) of the Genocide Convention and Article 6(c) of the Rome Statute, and crimes against humanity.

By October 2025, 92% of Gaza’s housing units had been damaged or fully destroyed. (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director at HRF:

“HRF exists to ensure that no one who participates in genocide escapes justice. The suspect and his unit carried out systematic destruction of homes and agricultural land in Gaza—conduct that undoubtedly violates international law. This second complaint filed in India is part of our commitment and duty to bring perpetrators before the courts; and, India must comply with its international obligations.”

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF:

“HRF’s investigation demonstrates that the destruction in Abasan al-Saghira was not a byproduct of combat but a deliberate campaign to erase Palestinian life from Gaza’s landscape and for territorial gain. The suspect’s unit operated under clear orders to reduce civilian areas to rubble, and our evidence shows this conduct meets the threshold for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide. We have submitted these findings to the competent Indian authorities and urge India to fulfill its obligation to investigate and prosecute those responsible.”

About the Hind Rajab Foundation

This report forms part of HRF’s ongoing litigation strategy. Since 2024, the Foundation has submitted over 100 criminal complaints across 30 jurisdictions and 19 Article 15 submissions to the International Criminal Court. 

Recent procedural developments, including arrests at the Tomorrowland festival in Boom, Belgium, and at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada, as well as probe orders issued in Brazil, demonstrate that this legal strategy is producing tangible results in the pursuit of accountability.