HRF Seeks Immediate Arrest of Israeli Soldier in Cyprus for his Role in Gaza Schools Destruction

Limassol/Brussels, May 4, 2026 — The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has formally submitted an urgent legal complaint to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the Chief of Police, and the Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus. The filing demands the immediate arrest and detention of Ori Narkis, an Israeli soldier currently present in Limassol, who is suspected of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Represented by Cypriot lawyer Nikolètta Charalambídou, HRF asserts that Narkis, a member of the 432nd Infantry Battalion 'Tzabar' of the Givati Brigade, falls under the jurisdiction of Cypriot courts pursuant to the principle of universal jurisdiction enshrined in Article 5(1)(e)(v) of the Cyprus Penal Code. The complaint is backed by a comprehensive investigative report detailing Narkis's direct involvement in the destruction of the Aleppo Elementary Mixed School B in Beit Lahia and the forcible displacement of its civilian inhabitants.

Ori Narkis poses amid the ruins of Gaza—destruction central to the allegations detailed in HRF’s legal complaint.

The Alleged Crimes: A Calculated Erasure

The investigative report, compiled using open-source intelligence, geolocated social media evidence, and satellite imagery, establishes a clear timeline of criminal conduct attributed to Narkis between October 2024 and January 2025.

The central allegation concerns the operation against the Aleppo School complex in Beit Lahia. In October 2024, the school served as a critical shelter for thousands of internally displaced Palestinians. Contrary to the laws of war, which protect educational institutions unless they are being used for military purposes, the school was targeted after its occupants were forcibly removed.

HRF's investigation reveals that on October 19, 2024, Israeli forces, including units from the 432nd Battalion, surrounded the complex. Drone footage released by the Israeli military itself documents the coercive evacuation of civilians, where men were separated and detained, and families were forced to march under the threat of drone strikes and artillery fire. Journalist Anas Al-Sharif described the scene as a "true massacre," noting that even those following designated paths were attacked.

Following the evacuation, the school was set ablaze. Social media posts by Narkis and his teammates document the burning of the Aleppo School and other nearby shelters.

Legal Analysis: From War Crimes to Genocide

The actions attributed to Narkis constitute severe violations of international humanitarian law and international criminal law.

War Crimes: The intentional destruction of the Aleppo School, a building dedicated to education with no military objective, violates Article 8(2)(b)(ix) of the Rome Statute. Furthermore, the forcible transfer of the civilian population under coercive conditions, coupled with the destruction of their shelters to prevent return, constitutes the war crime of unlawful transfer of population under Article 8(2)(a)(vii).

Crimes Against Humanity: The systematic nature of the attack, part of a broader campaign to depopulate North Gaza, elevates these acts to crimes against humanity. The destruction of civilian property and the forced displacement of the population align with the definitions of extermination (Article 7(1)(b)) and forcible transfer of population (Article 7(1)(d)) under the Rome Statute.

Acts of Genocide: Most critically, the evidence suggests these acts are part of a genocidal campaign. The deliberate destruction of vital infrastructure, including 88% of school buildings in Gaza, and the imposition of conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of the Palestinian people, fall within the definition of genocide under Article 6(c) of the Rome Statute. This aligns with the findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded in September 2025 that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Social media image posted by Ori Narkis depicting the Hamad Ben Khalifa School complex set ablaze

Statements from HRF

"The presence of Ori Narkis in Cyprus is not just a logistical detail; it is a moral and legal imperative for the Cypriot state," said Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director of the Hind Rajab Foundation. "While the world watches the devastation in Gaza, alleged perpetrators of genocide are moving freely through Europe, believing that geography offers them immunity. Cyprus has a binding obligation under international law to act. There is no safe haven for war criminals. If Cyprus fails to arrest Narkis, it becomes complicit in the culture of impunity that allows these atrocities to continue."

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF, emphasized the strength of the evidence: "Our investigation leaves no doubt. The Aleppo School was a civilian shelter, evacuated under threat of death, and then burned to the ground to ensure the displaced could never return. This was not collateral damage; it was a calculated strategy of erasure. The social media posts by Narkis and his unit serve as a confession of their participation in these crimes. The legal threshold for arrest and investigation has been met."

The Path Forward

The complaint filed by HRF calls on Cypriot authorities to:

• Issue an immediate arrest warrant for Ori Narkis based on the evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
• Detain Narkis pending a full investigation into his role in the destruction of the Aleppo School and the forced displacement of civilians.
• Cooperate with HRF to secure additional evidence and testimonies necessary for prosecution.

This filing is part of HRF's ongoing global litigation strategy. Over the past two years, the Foundation has filed more than 80 criminal complaints in 29 jurisdictions, resulting in arrests, interrogations, and the advancement of cases in countries including Brazil, Peru, Belgium, and Romania.

The Hind Rajab Foundation remains committed to dismantling the architecture of impunity. As long as alleged war criminals travel freely, HRF will continue to track, document, and demand accountability, ensuring that justice is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all victims of international crimes.