Universal Jurisdiction in Action: Peru Investigates Israeli Soldier for Genocide and War Crimes after HRF Complaint

Lima, Peru – In a decisive move for international accountability, the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has secured the official opening of a preliminary criminal investigation by the Peruvian Public Prosecutor's Office against an Israeli soldier from the 424th Infantry Battalion "Shaked". On April 28, 2026, the First Supraprovincial Criminal Prosecutor's Office Specialising in Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism issued a formal order initiating a 15-day inquiry into allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed in the Gaza Strip.

The complaint, spearheaded by Julio César Arbizu González of the Arbizu & Gamarra Law Firm, asserts that the soldier is currently within Peruvian territory, with intelligence placing him in Lima and potentially Cusco. This presence activates Peru's duty under the principle of universal jurisdiction to prosecute the most serious international crimes, irrespective of the perpetrator's nationality or the location of the offenses.

Digital Footprints of Destruction

HRF's investigation reconstructs the soldier's active role in the Gaza conflict between November 2023 and October 2024. The filing details specific breaches of International Humanitarian Law:

Systematic Demolition of Civilian Objects: The soldier is accused of participating in the razing of residential neighborhoods and non-military infrastructure in high-density zones, specifically the Rimal neighborhood and Jabalia. The evidence dossier includes photographic and video testimony, much of it originating from the soldier's own social media accounts, documenting the incineration of homes and the arbitrary destruction of property.

Targeting of Humanitarian Zones: The complaint underscores the soldier's presence in the vicinity of UNRWA headquarters and critical medical facilities, including a Health Centre Association in Jabalia. Operations conducted in these sectors allegedly caused catastrophic structural damage and inflicted harm on protected civilians and medical personnel.

Operational Integration in Mass Violence: Far from acting independently, the investigation indicates that the soldier was integrated into military units engaged in ground assaults and widespread destruction, contributing to a systematic pattern of violence directed against the civilian population as a whole.

The 424th "Shaked" Battalion: A notorious unit of the Givati Brigade frequently identified in HRF investigations.

The Legal Imperative: Universal Jurisdiction Activated

The Peruvian Prosecutor's Office has formally recognized the legal standing of the complaint, grounding its authority in Peru's ratification of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. The order explicitly affirms that the mere presence of an alleged perpetrator on national soil is sufficient to invoke universal jurisdiction, in accordance with Article 55 of the Peruvian Constitution and Article 146 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The order mandates urgent actions to solidify the case:

• Verification of Presence
• A comprehensive audit of social media and open source data
• Identity Confirmation

Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director of the Hind Rajab Foundation, acknowledged Peru's role as a potential turning point in the pursuit of accountability:

“We welcome the decision by the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office to open this investigation. Peru has a long and proud tradition of defending human rights, and by activating universal jurisdiction, it is honoring that legacy. We recognize that the authorities are following due process, and we respect that. But due process must lead to decisive action. Once the suspect's presence on Peruvian soil is confirmed—and we are confident it will be—we call on Peru to issue an arrest warrant without delay. The victims of these atrocities deserve nothing less than a state that stands firmly on the side of justice, and we trust that Peru will prove equal to that responsibility.”

Natacha Bracq, Head of Litigation at HRF, emphasized the evidentiary strength of the case:

“Our dossier contains irrefutable digital forensics—geotagged photos, unit logs, and the soldier's own celebratory posts—that place him at the epicenter of these atrocities. The legal threshold for a preliminary investigation has been decisively met. We are prepared to hand over the full forensic suite to the Peruvian authorities. As the investigation proceeds and the suspect's location is pinned down, we expect the arrest warrant to be the next logical and necessary step to prevent flight and ensure justice.”

The Road to Accountability

This case represents a critical escalation in HRF's global legal offensive, adding to a portfolio of over 80 complaints filed across 29 jurisdictions. The organization remains unwavering in its mission to expose the truth and ensure that those who orchestrate and execute atrocities against the Palestinian people are held to account, proving that the principle of universal jurisdiction is a living, breathing instrument of justice.