Palestinian Rights Organisation Files Complaint Against Israeli Soldier on Vacation in India

New Delhi: The Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a criminal complaint against an Israeli soldier in India alleging that he was involved in the destruction of civilian property in Gaza. The soldier is currently on holiday in the country.

This is the second such complaint filed by HRF against an Israeli soldier in India. HRF has urged Indian authorities to “carry out its international obligation” and investigate the allegations.

According to HRF, the soldier documented his deployment in Gaza and his involvement in operations in the Khan Younis Governorate. HRF has accused the soldier of being involved in the destruction of homes, agricultural land and other civilian infrastructure in Abasan al-Saghira between March-April 2024.

HRF identified the soldier as a member of an Israeli military unit involved in the demolitions. It said that satellite imagery, social media footage verified by the organisation and other open-source material indicate that extensive destruction took place after Israeli forces had established operational control of the area, rather than during active combat.

Natacha Bracq, head of litigation at HRF said, “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.”

The foundation said the pattern of destruction is consistent with findings by Amnesty International concerning the demolition of areas along Gaza’s eastern perimeter. It also linked the destruction to the continuing expansion of the ‘Yellow Line’ into Gaza. The Yellow Line divides the Gaza strip into two territories, with one part governed by Hamas and the other by Israel. 

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.

Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director at HRF, said, “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,” adding that  “India must comply with its international obligations.”

Previous complaint

HRF had also filed another similar complaint in June this year with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bureau of Immigration and the police against Eitan Gilboa, an Israeli soldier, vacationing in Himachal Pradesh at the time.

The Wire has previously reported that the Bureau of Immigration had contacted HRF by email seeking contact details shortly after the complaint was filed. The information was shared, but no further updates followed from the bureau. 

According to the complaint, both conditions had been met: evidence existed and authorities were aware of the allegations. Yet, Gilboa left the country without any scrutiny. This brings larger questions about what India’s obligations under international law actually mean in practice.

This article went live on August twentieth, two thousand twenty six, at twenty-three minutes past three in the afternoon.

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