The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a formal complaint with Sri Lankan authorities against an Israeli-American former soldier. The Belgium-based legal group alleges that the individual committed war crimes during his service in the Gaza Strip.
Allegations of Infrastructure Destruction
The soldier, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, is currently visiting Sri Lanka after completing his military service. He was a member of the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion, a unit the foundation claims was central to the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
According to the complaint, the unit was nominally tasked with fortification and mine clearance. However, the foundation asserts that its actual activities involved the systematic demolition of civilian areas.
The foundation claims to have a “direct connection” linking the ex-soldier to unlawful destruction in Khan Younis between October and November 2025. This claim is based on “visual evidence” the soldier posted to social media.
The evidence reportedly includes an image of the soldier holding a detonation cable inside a destroyed civilian building. The group argues this indicates active participation in controlled demolitions and the intentional attacking of civilian property.
The Strategy of Global Complaints
Since 2024, the Hind Rajab Foundation has used social media to locate Israeli soldiers, officers, and reservists. The goal is to trigger arrests for alleged war crimes when these individuals travel abroad.
This practice has caused alarm within Israel, leading the IDF to implement new rules to protect troop privacy. These measures aim to prevent “doxxing,” which is the online publication of personal information to expose individuals.
The foundation has already filed dozens of criminal complaints over the past two years. Their efforts have led European authorities to detain several soldiers and forced one soldier in Brazil to return to Israel to avoid arrest.
Legal Standing and Official Responses
Despite these actions, the foundation has not yet seen success in court. To date, no soldier targeted by the group has been prosecuted for war crimes or other offenses committed in Gaza.
Israel vehemently denies allegations of genocide or war crimes. The Israeli government maintains that it seeks to minimize civilian deaths and argues that Hamas uses civilians as human shields by fighting from schools, homes, and mosques.
The Hind Rajab Foundation has urged Sri Lanka to take “appropriate legal action,” stating that nations have a duty to prosecute those suspected of grave breaches of international humanitarian law. Sri Lankan authorities have not yet responded to the complaint.
Potential Next Steps
The situation may evolve depending on how Sri Lankan authorities interpret their responsibility under international law. A possible next step could be an investigation into the evidence provided by the foundation.
Alternatively, the soldier may face travel restrictions or be required to leave the country, similar to the scenario encountered by a soldier in Brazil. However, given the lack of prior prosecutions, the case may not lead to a formal trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Hind Rajab Foundation?
It is a pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel legal group based in Belgium, named after a six-year-old Gazan girl killed in January 2024.
What evidence did the foundation provide against the soldier?
The group cited social media posts, including an image of the soldier holding a detonation cable inside a destroyed civilian building in Gaza.
Has any soldier been convicted through this foundation’s efforts?
No. While some soldiers have been detained or forced to flee countries like Brazil, no soldier targeted by the group has been prosecuted for war crimes.
Do you believe social media posts should be sufficient grounds for the detention of former military personnel traveling abroad?
