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The Israeli government is facing increasing international legal challenges as at least 12 complaints have been filed against Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers for alleged war crimes in Gaza, Channel 12 news reported on Sunday.
These complaints, originating from countries including Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Belgium, the Netherlands, Serbia, Ireland, and Cyprus, come amid a growing international campaign against Israeli military actions during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that complaints had been lodged in several countries, including Brazil, which has become a focal point of legal attention.
In one notable case, a soldier, who survived the Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, was subjected to a war crimes investigation in Brazil.
The investigation, ordered by the Brazilian Federal Court, centers around the destruction of a residential building in Gaza using explosives outside combat operations in November.
Brazilian media outlets reported that the investigation had prompted the soldier to leave Brazil hurriedly, under the guidance of Israeli authorities.
Despite the increasing number of complaints, Channel 12 noted that in most cases, no investigation had followed the complaints, and no soldiers had been arrested.
However, the case in Brazil nearly escalated into a diplomatic crisis, underscoring the tension surrounding these accusations.
In response to the rising legal pressures, a joint desk has been established by Israel’s Military Advocate General, the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Council, and the Shin Bet. This initiative aims to assess and address legal threats against Israeli soldiers abroad.
A key focus is the ongoing campaign led by the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgium-based nonprofit organization, which seeks to identify IDF soldiers who may have shared videos on social media that potentially depict war crimes.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, named after a six-year-old Palestinian girl allegedly killed by the IDF in Gaza earlier this year, is dedicated to “ending Israeli impunity” and achieving justice for victims of the conflict.
The organization has been actively monitoring soldiers’ social media posts, particularly those that feature destruction in Gaza or references to actions that could be interpreted as violations of international law.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has issued warnings to Israelis, advising caution in their social media activity. The ministry emphasized that anti-Israeli groups could exploit such posts to initiate legal proceedings against soldiers, even if these claims lack merit.
Israeli officials have also voiced concerns over the organized nature of the legal campaign against soldiers, particularly by pro-Palestinian organizations.
Israeli Ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Zonshine, stated that these groups are compiling evidence from soldiers’ social media posts in an effort to instigate legal action.
Legal experts have weighed in on the situation, with Yuval Kaplinski, former head of the International Division of the State Attorney’s Office, explaining that if a soldier’s social media posts feature comments or videos suggesting the destruction of homes or harm to civilians, it could be construed as a confession of war crimes.
As Israel grapples with these legal challenges abroad, the situation reflects the growing international scrutiny and diplomatic complexities arising from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.