Hind Rajab Foundation files criminal complaint in Italy against Israeli soldier

The Hind Rajab Foundation said on Monday that it had filed a criminal complaint with Italian authorities against an Israeli soldier who it says is currently visiting Italy, accusing him of involvement in violations of international law during Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The Brussels-based organization identified the soldier as Yonatan Shalikh and said its complaint includes involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal acts.

“The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a criminal complaint in Italy against Israeli soldier Yonatan Shalikh,” the organisation said in a statement published on its website.

According to the foundation, Shalikh is currently vacationing in Tuscany. It said he served with a company of Israel’s Givati Brigade operating under the command of the 401^st Armoured Brigade during operations in Gaza.

Among the allegations in the complaint is that Shalikh participated in Israeli military operations surrounding Al-Shifa Medical Complex including extensive destruction at the site in Gaza City in March and April 2024.

The foundation also said that Shalikh’s unit was involved in the burning of the Al-Haj Hamdi Harzallah Mosque in Gaza City’s Al-Nasr neighbourhood in December 2023.

According to the organisation, photographs from the period show soldiers posing inside the building while it was burning. The foundation says the mosque was under Israeli military control and was not being used by Palestinian armed groups at the time.

It argued that the incident could constitute an unlawful attack on a protected religious site under international humanitarian law and alleged that it formed part of a broader pattern of destruction affecting religious buildings in Gaza.

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