HRF Files Criminal Complaint in Portugal Against Israeli Soldier Etamar Ivry for War Crimes and Genocide

15 July 2026, Brussels, Belgium / Lisbon, Portugal – The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a criminal complaint in Portugal against Israeli soldier, Etamar Ivry, for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The suspect is currently vacationing in Lisbon.

HRF’s investigation alleges that as a member of the 890th Paratroopers Battalion in the 35th Paratroopers Brigade, Ivry participated in the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza. Evidence includes social media posts published by Ivry himself, featuring videos of controlled demolitions of civilian objects, including in the area of the Netzarim corridor near Al Rashid Street.

Etamar Ivry, here seen on the far left, is currently vacationing in Lisbon, Portugal.

Allegations contained in the complaint relate to conduct carried out during the Israeli military’s establishment of the Netzarim Corridor between November and December 2023. This buffer zone was created to bisect the Gaza Strip, severing northern from southern Gaza as part of a strategy to forcibly depopulate northern Gaza. During this period, numerous Israeli military units publicly documented the demolition of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

Ivry’s unit operated as part of a combined-arms combat team equipped with the engineering capabilities required to carry out these controlled demolitions. The videos posted by Ivry, which included celebratory captions, serve as direct evidence of his participation in this campaign of devastation and erasure.

Allegations in the complaint include:

• War Crimes, including intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects and extensive destruction of property
• Crimes Against Humanity: Extermination as part of a widespread attack against a civilian population
• Genocide: The systematic nature of the destruction, aimed at rendering Gaza uninhabitable, constitutes acts of genocide by subjecting the Palestinian group to conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part

The complaint has been filed pursuant to Portuguese Law 31/2004, which establishes universal jurisdiction over international humanitarian law violations. Under this law, Portuguese authorities are mandated to prosecute individuals found on Portuguese soil for crimes committed abroad.

Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director at HRF

“At a time when the International Criminal Court faces unprecedented attacks and attempts to undermine its mandate, national courts exercising universal jurisdiction remain Palestine’s most vital avenue for justice. Domestic legal systems can and must act as a rampart against impunity, ensuring that perpetrators of genocide cannot escape justice.”

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF:

“Etamar Ivry did not just witness the destruction of Gaza. He recorded it, celebrated it, and shared it with the world. His actions are not isolated incidents of combat but part of a coordinated campaign to erase Palestinian life and infrastructure. By filing this complaint, we demand that Portugal uphold its legal obligations and refuse to harbor those who commit atrocities against civilians.”

The Hind Rajab Foundation continues to pursue legal avenues worldwide to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities committed in Gaza. This case represents a critical test of whether Portugal will fulfill its international legal obligations or protect alleged war criminals.