Hind Rajab Foundation seeks arrest of Israeli soldier visiting Himachal Pradesh
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The Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has asked Indian authorities to arrest an Israeli reservist currently travelling in Himachal Pradesh, alleging his involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
In a statement issued on May 30, the organisation said it had submitted a complaint to the police, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Bureau of Immigration against Israeli national Eitan Gilboa, a reservist in the Israeli army's 271st Combat Engineering Battalion.
HRF alleged that Gilboa participated in demolitions of residential buildings in Gaza during the ongoing conflict and is currently travelling in Old Manali and Gondla village in Himachal Pradesh. The organisation urged authorities to arrest him under the provisions of the Geneva Conventions Act, 1960.
According to the complaint, Gilboa documented and celebrated the demolition of residential structures in Khan Younis, Rafah, and other parts of Gaza. HRF said videos and photographs showing these incidents were later shared on social media and have been included in an investigative dossier submitted to Indian authorities.
The organisation cited incidents from January, June, and July 2024, alleging that Gilboa participated in or triggered demolitions of residential blocks and dedicated some of the actions to Israeli soldiers killed during the conflict.
HRF has called on authorities to register a First Information Report, investigate the allegations, and initiate proceedings under the Geneva Conventions Act. It also requested that immigration authorities be alerted if immediate arrest is not possible.
There was no immediate response from Gilboa, Israeli authorities, or Indian authorities regarding the allegations.
HRF General Director Dyab Abou Jahjah said the evidence was based on material recorded and shared by the suspect and his family on social media.
The complaint is the latest in a series of legal initiatives by the foundation, which says it has filed more than 90 complaints in about 30 jurisdictions against Israeli military personnel over actions during the Gaza war.
The Hind Rajab Foundation was established in 2024 by pro-Palestinian activists and named after six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed during the conflict in Gaza. The organisation says it seeks legal accountability for violations of international humanitarian law through the collection of open-source evidence and the filing of criminal complaints in countries that recognise universal jurisdiction.