Human Rights organization files complaint against an Israeli soldier in Colombia

The Hind Rajab human rights organization, which focuses on pursuing Israeli soldiers globally, has filed a complaint against an Israeli soldier who traveled to Colombia.

In a statement, the organization said: "The Hind Rajab Foundation has formally submitted a criminal complaint to the Colombian Attorney General’s Office against Gabriel Ben-Haim, an Israeli-French dual-national sniper and active member of the Israeli army, for his involvement in severe violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed during Israeli military operations."

Ben-Haim is identified as a member of the Refaim sniper unit, operating under the 35th Paratroopers Brigade of the Israeli army. This unit has been involved in systematic killings, targeting civilians, attacking medical infrastructure, and destroying civilian property during the assault on Tal al-Hawa and Khan Younis, among other densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip.

The evidence submitted includes video documentation, social media records, geographical analysis, and witness statements.

The Hind Rajab organization further stated that the Refaim unit, including the aforementioned soldier, has been implicated in the following: 

• ·        Firing sniper weapons at unarmed civilians, including those attempting to assist the wounded; 
• ·        Targeting medical personnel, including the documented killing of a nurse in the surgical ward of Nasser Hospital; 
• ·        Participating in "sniper competitions" where Israeli soldiers openly counted and celebrated the number of individuals they killed, sharing videos of civilian killings;
• ·        Publishing images of dismembered bodies for propaganda and psychological warfare purposes; 
• ·        Contributing to the widespread destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure without any apparent military necessity.

The Hind Rajab organization has called for the immediate initiation of a formal investigation, the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ben-Haim, and his detention before he leaves Colombia.

The organization has previously filed complaints against Israeli soldiers in Italy, Thailand, Spain, and Germany.