The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has launched legal proceedings in Portugal against an Israeli soldier, alleging his involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza, the organisation told The New Arab on Friday.
According to a criminal complaint the foundation filed with Portuguese authorities, Etamar Ivry, a member of the Israeli army's 890th Paratroopers Battalion in the 35th Paratroopers Brigade, carried out war crimes during the establishment of the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza between November and December 2023.
"Etamar Ivry did not simply witness the destruction of Gaza. He recorded it, celebrated it, and shared it publicly," a HRF spokesperson told The New Arab .
"His actions are not presented as isolated incidents of combat but as part of a broader campaign targeting Palestinian life and civilian infrastructure."
HRF said Ivry is currently in Lisbon. The complaint accuses him of intentional targeting of civilian objects and the extensive destruction of property, as well as crimes against humanity, including extermination and genocide.
"We are asking Portuguese prosecutors to apply Portugal's Law No. 31/2004, which establishes universal jurisdiction over serious violations of international humanitarian law," a HRF spokesperson said.
"Under this law, Portuguese authorities are required to investigate and prosecute individuals found on Portuguese territory who are suspected of committing international crimes abroad."
HRF said its investigation was based on social media posts shared by Ivry, including videos allegedly showing the controlled demolition of civilian infrastructure in Gaza - with the organisation citing footage documented demolitions in areas near the Netzarim Corridor and Al Rashid Street.
The Belgium-based organisation added that Ivry's unit participated in the destruction of civilian structures as part of a wider military operation that caused extensive damage to Gaza's infrastructure.
"Our primary objective is to seek justice for the victims of this genocide by challenging the cycle of impunity that currently exists for Israeli perpetrators," an HRF spokesperson told The New Arab.
They added: "We will continue to pursue legal action against those responsible for, complicit in, or who have incited war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine."
HRF said there have been no developments in the case since the complaint was filed, adding that it is "still at the beginning of our legal efforts".
The organisation added: "The fact that Israeli authorities have reportedly removed soldiers from certain countries out of concern that they could face arrest, that some judicial systems have detained soldiers for questioning, and that some countries have refused entry to certain individuals demonstrates that our work is already having a tangible impact."
The latest complaint follows a series of legal cases filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation in countries around the world.
These include a recent request for an urgent arrest warrant against an Israeli reservist who is reportedly holidaying in India and accused by the organisation of carrying out and celebrating systematic demolitions in Gaza.
In June, HRF also filed a complaint with the US Department of Justice against Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, alleging war crimes and abuses against Palestinians.