Switzerland launches probe into ‘suspected ‘Israeli war criminal’, rights group says

Switzerland has opened a criminal investigation into a “suspected Israeli war criminal on its soil,” the Belgium-based advocacy and accountability organisation, the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has said, explaining that the probe was based on a complaint it had filed.

In a statement issued yesterday, the HRF said: “The complaint provides extensive evidence implicating the individual in war crimes and crimes against humanity, including attacks on civilians, destruction of homes and hospitals, forced displacement and other grave violations of international law committed in the Gaza Strip.”

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Galant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza last November.

However, the HRF stressed that “accountability should not stop at senior political and military leaders, but should also include individuals who carried out these atrocities on the ground,” adding that the ongoing operations in Gaza are a “campaign of genocide”, as documented by international organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

“Israel’s war on Gaza included the systematic killing of civilians, mass destruction, and the deliberate targeting of vital infrastructure. War crimes are not only committed at the policy level, but are carried out by individuals who pull the trigger, drop the bombs, and impose inhumane policies against innocent civilians,” HRF added.

According to the statement, Israeli officials and military personnel have always enjoyed diplomatic and political protection from being held accountable for their actions, but the principle of universal jurisdiction allows the prosecution of war criminals wherever they are, stressing that “the time of impunity is over, and there will be no safe haven for those who committed war crimes, whether they were senior officials or individuals carrying out orders.”

The HRF commended Switzerland’s commitment to enforcing international law and preventing perpetrators of war crimes from finding safe haven on its territory, adding that this investigation sends a clear message that “there is no immunity for war criminals, regardless of their rank or nationality.”

The foundation said it will not reveal further details at this stage to preserve “the integrity of legal proceedings,” but will continue to support international efforts to hold accountable those responsible for crimes committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

READ: Hind Rajab Foundation files lawsuit against Israel soldier in Sweden