Belgian NGO Lodges Complaint With India Over Alleged Israeli War Crimes
The Belgium-based organisation argues that New Delhi is legally bound to prosecute Eitan Gilboa for alleged acts of revenge in Gaza, as he remains on holiday in northern India.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgium-based non-governmental organisation, has submitted a formal complaint to Indian authorities demanding the immediate arrest of Eitan Gilboa, an Israeli army reservist currently on holiday in Himachal Pradesh. The complaint, lodged on Saturday with the Indian Police Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bureau of Immigration, alleges that Gilboa committed war crimes in Gaza through the systematic demolition of residential blocks.
The NGO’s submission includes an investigative report supported by geolocated videos, social media posts, and chain-of-command documentation. According to the foundation, Gilboa personally carried out and celebrated the destruction of civilian homes in Khan Younis and Rafah, framing these actions as acts of retribution dedicated to fallen soldiers. The evidence suggests Gilboa filmed himself ordering and executing demolitions, with his mother subsequently sharing the footage on various platforms.
The legal basis for the complaint rests on India’s ratification of the Geneva Conventions in November 1950. The Hind Rajab Foundation cites Article 146 of the conventions, arguing that as a signatory, India is legally obligated to search for and prosecute individuals alleged to have committed grave breaches, regardless of their nationality. The organisation contends that Gilboa’s actions violate the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Additionally, the complaint argues that Gilboa’s presence in India contradicts Article 51(c) of the Indian Constitution, which directs the State to foster respect for international law. Dyab Abou Jahjah, the foundation’s general director, stated that Gilboa is not a tourist but a war criminal fleeing consequences, urging India not to allow its soil to become a safe haven for those who celebrate the destruction of civilian lives.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, formed following the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab in January 2024, has filed more than 1,000 cases to the International Criminal Court. The organisation reports having produced over 90 criminal complaints across 30 jurisdictions, achieving successful procedural outcomes in Brazil, Romania, Peru, Belgium, and Canada. Al Jazeera was unable to obtain an immediate response from Gilboa during his stay in Manali.
