The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has announced a new series of legal and advocacy actions across three continents, seeking to hold Israeli military personnel and officials accountable for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The latest initiatives target individuals currently located in India, Poland, and the United States, reflecting what the foundation describes as an increasingly coordinated international effort to challenge impunity through national legal systems and the principle of universal jurisdiction.
According to HRF, the actions are part of a broader campaign aimed at ensuring that individuals accused of serious violations of international law face investigation regardless of where they travel.
Arrest Demand in India
One of the foundation’s most recent interventions concerns Israeli reservist Eitan Gilboa, who HRF says is currently present in India.
The organization has formally called on Indian authorities to arrest Gilboa, arguing that evidence exists linking him to alleged crimes committed during military operations in Gaza. HRF stated that India has international legal obligations to investigate and prosecute, or otherwise cooperate with proceedings concerning individuals accused of grave breaches of international humanitarian law.
The foundation warned against allowing national territory to become a refuge for individuals facing allegations related to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Focus on Former Air Force Commanders in New York
At the same time, HRF has directed attention toward New York, where several former senior Israeli Air Force commanders are scheduled to participate in an upcoming Jerusalem Post conference.
The foundation argues that military commanders who planned, directed, or oversaw aerial bombardment campaigns in Gaza should face scrutiny for their role in operations that resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
HRF contends that responsibility for military decisions extends beyond those who directly carry out attacks and includes senior officials who exercised command authority during operations. The organization has emphasized that retirement from military service does not eliminate potential legal responsibility under international law.
Legal Action Sought in Poland
In Poland, HRF has submitted an urgent request for the arrest of Jonathan Barkat, whom the organization accuses of involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide related to the conflict in Gaza.
The foundation maintains that Polish authorities possess both the jurisdiction and legal mechanisms necessary to investigate the allegations. HRF argues that national courts increasingly have a role to play when international institutions face political or procedural obstacles.
The Polish filing represents another example of efforts by advocacy groups to activate domestic legal systems against individuals accused of international crimes while travelling abroad.
Growing Use of Universal Jurisdiction
The three cases highlight a growing trend in international accountability efforts, whereby legal complaints are being filed in multiple countries against individuals alleged to have participated in or overseen military operations in Gaza.
Universal jurisdiction allows national courts in some circumstances to investigate and prosecute serious international crimes regardless of where they were committed or the nationality of those involved. Human rights organizations have increasingly sought to use these mechanisms in cases where they believe traditional avenues of accountability have proven ineffective.
HRF says its recent actions are only part of a larger global campaign. The organization stated that numerous additional legal initiatives are underway across several jurisdictions, although many remain confidential for strategic and legal reasons.
Expanding International Pressure
The foundation argues that the cumulative effect of such cases is creating new legal risks for individuals accused of involvement in violations of international law.
“Accountability is no longer confined by borders,” HRF said in a statement. “As more jurisdictions become engaged and more evidence reaches prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies, the space for impunity continues to shrink.”
The latest filings come amid increasing international scrutiny of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and growing efforts by legal organizations, human rights groups, and advocacy campaigns to pursue accountability through national and international courts.
Whether the latest requests result in arrests or prosecutions remains uncertain. However, the actions underscore a broader shift in which activists and legal advocates are increasingly turning to courts around the world in an effort to advance accountability for alleged crimes committed during the conflict.
