Belgian Group Sues Israeli Reservist in London Over Gaza Demolitions

An Israeli man currently staying in London faces a new criminal complaint filed with British authorities by the Hind Rajab Foundation. The Belgium-based organization announced the filing on Monday, seeking to have the man arrested and investigated immediately.

The complaint alleges that the man, who HRF identifies as a reserve soldier and D9 bulldozer operator in the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion, committed war crimes and genocide during his service in the Gaza Strip. The group specifically accuses him of using starvation as a method of warfare by targeting food infrastructure.

At the center of the case is the demolition of Great Ocean Mills, an industrial flour production facility located in the Morag Corridor between Khan Yunis and Rafah. HRF states that the complex was destroyed on May 25, 2025, during a period of severe food shortage in the strip. The organization claims the man posted documentation of the bulldozer demolishing the grain silos on social media.

In its filing, HRF links the incident to a wider pattern of operations by the 603rd Battalion. The group alleges the battalion was involved in more than 60 controlled demolition operations targeting buildings and leveling extensive areas across Gaza. Supporting evidence cited in the complaint includes a photograph from November 2023 showing the soldier holding a sign at a school in Gaza City, as well as additional footage of demolition work in Khan Yunis and Rafah.

Natasha Brack, the foundation’s head of legal affairs, argued that the man should not be permitted to leave Britain. She stated that he may return to reserve duty, creating a risk that he would avoid accountability. HRF has also expanded its demands, calling on British officials to question every adult Israeli entering the country about their service in the Israel Defense Forces, particularly regarding actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

British authorities have not yet confirmed whether they have initiated an investigation into the complaint. The filing itself does not indicate that criminal proceedings have been opened or that the allegations have been accepted. Not all complaints filed by HRF have resulted in legal action. In September 2025, a similar complaint against an Israeli reservist in Greece was rejected because the country lacked a legal basis to hear allegations about acts that occurred outside its territory. HRF announced at the time that it had appealed that decision.

The Hind Rajab Foundation is named after Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza. The organization is headed by Diab Abu Jahjah, a native of southern Lebanon who has lived in Belgium for years. Abu Jahjah is known for his anti-Israel political activities and past ties to Hezbollah. In a previous interview with The New York Times, he said he underwent military training in Hezbollah’s ranks and expressed pride in doing so.

Abu Jahjah is currently barred from entering Britain following a decision by UK authorities in the 2000s. His name has also been linked to the American no-fly list. From his base in Brussels, he has led the foundation’s efforts to locate Israeli soldiers abroad and file complaints against them for actions attributed to their military service. The London case joins a series of such efforts aimed at initiating criminal proceedings against Israelis outside of Israel.