The pro-Palestinian Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has officially filed a criminal complaint against an Israeli soldier in Germany, accusing him of involvement in war crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The complaint, lodged against Shay Friedman with German authorities, alleges serious offences, including complicity in murder, genocide, and other grave crimes under both German and international law. Friedman, a member of the Golani Brigade, is also accused of violating fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction and proportionality.

HRF has submitted video footage showing Friedman actively participating in military assaults on Gaza since October 2023, including scenes of him using a heavy machine gun to fire at civilian buildings. Additional evidence includes footage of him destroying civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals, schools, and humanitarian facilities. Social media posts further implicate Friedman, showing him boasting about his involvement in these acts.

Currently believed to be in Munich, Friedman could face immediate legal action under German jurisdiction. Given that he is likely a dual Israeli-German national and is currently on German soil, HRF has urged authorities to act swiftly. The foundation has called for his immediate arrest, stressing that the overwhelming evidence and severity of the charges demand urgent legal intervention.

HRF has urged German prosecutors to resist political pressure and uphold the legal framework that obliges Germany to take action. “Germany cannot ignore its jurisdiction over this case, as this war criminal is currently within its borders,” the foundation stated. “The rule of law must prevail, and Germany must fulfil its legal obligations under both national and international law.”

This case is part of HRF’s wider legal campaign to hold individuals accountable for war crimes in Gaza. The foundation is named after Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by an Israeli tank in 2024 while seeking shelter in Gaza. HRF has filed multiple legal cases in both national and international courts to seek justice for Palestinian victims.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for their roles in war crimes. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel’s actions in Gaza present a plausible risk of genocide. HRF’s latest legal action adds to mounting international efforts to hold Israeli officials and military personnel accountable for their crimes against Palestinian civilians.