A criminal complaint was filed in Italy against Israeli soldier Yonatan Shalih, who was vacationing in Italy’s Tuscany region, over allegations related to Israeli military operations in Gaza. The Hind Rajab Foundation, which filed the complaint, accused Shalih of participating in war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide.
The foundation said Shalih served during the operations in Gaza in the Taikon Company of the Israeli army’s Givati Brigade and operated under the command of the 401st Armored Brigade.
Allegations concerning Shifa Hospital and a place of worship
The complaint alleged that Shalih took part in the siege and destruction of the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood in March and April 2024.
The foundation also alleged that Shalih was among the soldiers involved in the burning of the Hajj Hamdi Hirzallah Mosque in Gaza City’s Nasr neighborhood. The statement claimed that footage said to have been recorded in late December 2023 showed company members taking photographs inside the burning building.
The Hind Rajab Foundation maintained that the mosque was not being used by Palestinian forces when it was destroyed and was under the full military control of Israeli forces. The organization alleged that the act could constitute the unlawful targeting of a protected place of worship and was part of a pattern of systematic attacks on mosques in Gaza.
Other allegations against Shalih in the complaint included claims that he participated in the destruction of Palestine Square, described as a commercial center in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood, after the Israeli army took control of the area on December 5, 2023.
Call for an investigation by Italian authorities
The foundation said it had previously filed several criminal complaints in Italy concerning Israel’s actions in Gaza, but that Italian authorities had taken no action. The organization argued that this violated the investigation obligations established under the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention.
The Hind Rajab Foundation alleged that allowing people suspected of war crimes and genocide to vacation freely in Italy constituted negligence in enforcing international law. The foundation called for an immediate investigation into Shalih.
Founded in February 2024, the Hind Rajab Foundation is headquartered in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The organization works to initiate legal proceedings against Israeli officials and soldiers in different countries around the world.
