An advocacy group has launched legal action in Argentina and Chile, urging both countries to arrest an Israeli soldier who committed war crimes in Israel. Gaza.

The cases announced Thursday in Argentina and Chile cited national and international legal obligations. These are part of a broader effort by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation to pressure countries around the world to seek redress for abuses committed in Palestinian enclaves. More comprehensive justice.

The cases target Israeli soldier Saar Hirshoren, who the Hind Rajab Foundation said was responsible for his role in the 749th Combat Engineer Battalion, which chairman Dyab Abou Jahjah said was “systematically involved in the destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.” “.

The foundation also filed a complaint against the entire battalion for “war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide” with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Local prosecutors working with the group filed a criminal complaint in Argentina on December 24 and in Chile the next day, seeking Hershollen’s arrest. The foundation said Hershollen was initially in Argentina before traveling to Chile when the first case was filed.

Prosecutors cited “video evidence on Hershollen’s Instagram account showing that he was actively involved in the destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure” and “his role in the deliberate demolition of neighborhoods, cultural sites and basic facilities” in violation of of international law.

Abu Jaja told Al Jazeera it was unclear whether Hersholun held dual citizenship with any country other than Israel, and his recent whereabouts remained unknown.

“I call on Argentina and Chile to assume their responsibilities as democratic countries governed by the rule of law and arrest Mr. Hershollen,” he said.

Promote broader accountability

Amnesty International took the latest legal action earlier this month draw conclusions Israel commits genocide in Gaza. UN human rights experts reached a similar verdict on the war, which began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Since then, 45,399 Palestinians have been killed and 107,940 injured in Israeli operations in Gaza. These operations have also destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure and created a deadly humanitarian crisis.

Hamas attacks on Israel killed 1,139 people.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yove Galante for “war crimes involving starvation as a method of warfare; as well as murder, persecution and other inhumane acts and other crimes against humanity.”

Israel has rejected the arrest warrants and has repeatedly insisted that its actions in Gaza comply with international law.

The International Criminal Court also last month release An arrest warrant has been issued for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the October 7 attack on Israel. Israel said Deif was killed in an attack in July.

But Hind Rajab Foundation is named after 6-year-old killed She came under Israeli shelling as her family fled Gaza City earlier this year, and other advocacy groups say responsibility should not be limited to Israel’s leadership.

The foundation has taken legal action against Israeli soldiers who are citizens or temporary visitors of countries including Ecuador, the Netherlands, France and Cyprus.

The group often focuses on Israeli soldiers who post abuse on social media. In October, for example, Hershoren posted a video of himself remotely detonating seven buildings near the Mosab bin Omer Mosque in northern Nuserat, according to an analysis of posts by Drop Site News.

Supporters argue that state parties to international rights treaties (including the founding document of the International Criminal Court, the Rome Statute, and the Geneva Conventions) have a responsibility to enforce international law.

In October, the organization filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, naming 1,000 Israeli soldiers it alleged abused, including 12 dual nationals from France, 12 from the United States, four from Canada, and three from the United Kingdom. and 2 from the Netherlands.

Abu Jaja said his organization wanted to correct “deficiencies” at the nation-state level as the ICC takes long-delayed action.

This can be a lengthy process. None of the countries where the group has taken action has sought recourse against the identified soldiers. Neither Chile nor Argentina responded to the latest appeal.

Still, Abu Jaja said he hopes the message resonates.

“You can’t have criminals come to your country for a holiday and act as if nothing happened,” Abu Jaja said.

“You cannot acquiesce in your responsibilities to the conventions you signed,” he added, “and to the principles of justice that all these states enshrine in their constitutions.”