LONDON
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) on Monday filed a criminal complaint in Italy against an Israeli soldier accused of committing war crimes and acts of genocide during Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the HRF said that it submitted the complaint before the Italian Public Prosecutor's Office against Israel Yitzhki, a member of the Israeli army.
It noted that the complaint has been submitted following confirmation that Yitzhki is currently present on Italian territory.
"Under international and Italian law, Italy is legally obliged to investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of grave international crimes when they are found on its soil," said the statement.
According to HRF’s investigative findings, Yitzhki served in the 432nd Battalion of the Givati Brigade and allegedly participated in several operations, including "extensive destruction of civilian property without military necessity" and "attacks on undefended towns, residential buildings, and civilian objects."
He was also accused of taking part in "unlawful detention and humiliating treatment of Palestinian civilians, including the publication of images showing detainees blindfolded, handcuffed, and kneeling."
The HRF complaint said these acts constitute war crimes under Article 8 of the Rome Statute, including destruction of property not justified by military necessity and attacks against civilian objects, as well as illegal detention of protected people.
Israel has killed nearly 70,700 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,100 others in attacks in Gaza since October 2023, which have continued despite the ceasefire.