An advocacy group has filed legal actions in Argentina and Chile, calling for the arrest of Israeli soldier Saar Hirshoren for war crimes in Gaza. The cases filed by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation target Hirshoren for his alleged involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza as a member of the 749 Combat Engineering Battalion. The foundation has also filed a complaint against the entire battalion with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
Local prosecutors in Argentina and Chile, working with the Hind Rajab Foundation, filed criminal complaints against Hirshoren and called for his arrest. The allegations are based on video evidence from Hirshoren’s Instagram account showing his participation in the demolition of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, in violation of international law. The foundation urged Argentina and Chile to uphold their responsibilities as democracies with the rule of law by taking action to arrest Hirshoren.
These legal actions come amid a broader effort by the Hind Rajab Foundation to pressure countries worldwide to seek justice for abuses committed in Gaza. Amnesty International recently concluded that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, and UN rights experts have made similar determinations. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and destruction in Gaza, with thousands of Palestinians killed and wounded in Israeli operations.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel has rejected these warrants and maintained that its actions in Gaza are in line with international law. The Hind Rajab Foundation has focused on holding Israeli soldiers accountable for their actions in Gaza through legal actions in various countries.
Advocates argue that countries party to international rights treaties, such as the Rome Statute and the Geneva Convention, have a responsibility to enforce international law. The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed complaints with the ICC against numerous Israeli soldiers, including those who have posted abuses on social media. The group hopes to address a deficiency in accountability at the nation-state level and ensure that justice is served for the victims of the conflict in Gaza.
Despite the legal actions taken by the Hind Rajab Foundation, countries where the group has sought recourse against Israeli soldiers have not responded. Neither Chile nor Argentina has taken action on the latest appeal for the arrest of Saar Hirshoren. The foundation continues to advocate for accountability and justice, emphasizing the importance of upholding international conventions and principles of justice embodied in national constitutions. By pursuing legal action against individuals responsible for war crimes and human rights abuses, the foundation aims to send a message that impunity will not be tolerated.
