So far this September, the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has instigated two new legal fronts in Georgia and Slovenia while filing new cases in France and Italy.
These new cases span every level of the machinery of genocide in Gaza: from a civilian excavator operator, to a platoon commander, and cabinet ministers inciting and shaping Israel’s policies of ethnic cleansing and mass destruction.
Georgia: HRF filed a criminal complaint against Israeli civilian excavator operator Sali Israel Hazut while he was on holiday in Batumi, for war crimes linked to his documented destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure across Gaza.
Slovenia: Ahead of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Ljubljana, HRF filed its third criminal complaint against him for alleged war crimes and acts of genocide, including attacks on hospitals, starvation, mass destruction, and displacement in Gaza.
France: Investigation by HRF led to a complaint filed against former platoon commander Elitzur Gitler for attacks on civilians and protected objects in Gaza. He was in Paris attending a sports championship.
Italy: Following her arrival in Italy on 6 September, HRF filed a criminal complaint against Israeli Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, for her direct and public incitement to genocide.
Georgia
HRF filed a criminal complaint with the Georgian Public Prosecutor’s Office against Israeli citizen, Sali Israel Hazut, while he was on holiday in Batumi. Hazut’s demolition company was contracted by the Israeli army to operate heavy machinery in Gaza.
Hazut is not an IDF soldier. He is one of the many civilian operators recruited by Israel’s Ministry of Defense since 2024 to drive operate the bulldozers and excavators that have erased entire neighbourhoods under military supervision. Much of Gaza’s physical destruction was outsourced—carried out by private companies paid to do the work.
Hazut proudly documented his own work, posting videos since May 2025 of himself demolishing residential buildings and civilian objects in Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, Shuja’iyya, Al-Atatra, and Khan Younis. His posts included and and montages commemorating hundreds of destroyed buildings he destroyed, including footage filmed inside Palestinian homes, and a clip mocking a resident who recognized his own house being razed.
The complaint concerns details the war crimes of:
Intentional attacks on civilian objects;,
Extensive destruction of property without military necessity;, and,
Attacks on buildings dedicated to education and religion.
The total destruction of housing and civilian infrastructure Hazut is implicated in may also constitute genocide under the Genocide Convention.
Slovenia
Ahead of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s 9–10 September visit to open Israel’s new embassy in Ljubljana, HRF filed a criminal complaint with the Ljubljana District Prosecutor’s Office and police.
As a member of Israel’s Security Cabinet throughout the genocide, Sa’ar helped shape, approve, and defend policies governing military operations in Gaza.
HRF’s investigation links Sa’ar’s to alleged wilful killing, torture, attacks on hospitals and medical units, starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and acts of genocide in Gaza, including specifically:
The attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital;
The arbitrary detention and torture of its director, Dr. Hossam Abu Safiyeh;
Mass destruction of civilian objects
Mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza; and
Denial of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.
The Slovenia complaint is HRF’s third action against Sa’ar, following cases in Brussels and London, as HRF continues to ensure diplomatic status is not used to shield perpetrators of genocide and other international crimes from accountability.
France
An HRF investigation, in collaboration with Urgence Palestine, formed the basis of a complaint filed by French MP Thomas Portes against Israeli army platoon commander, Elitzur Gitler, who was in Paris to compete in the 2026 Roundnet World Championship.
Gitler served in the Lahav Company of the 9th Armored Battalion, 401st Armored Brigade ina command position directing tactical movements, fire support, and operational orders on the ground.
The investigation documents four incidents in which Gitler’s unit is implicated::
The attack on Rantisi Children’s Hospital,Gaza City;
The destruction of Bani Suheila Square,Khan Younis;
he destruction of buildings in Hamad City, Khan Younis;
The demolition of the Hassan al-Banna Mosque and the Tiberias School, Khan Younis.
Despite the suspect’s presence in France, French restrictions on universal jurisdiction, including the requirement of a “sufficient link” to France, obstruct prosecution of international crimes and create a safe haven for traveling genocidaires.
Italy
HRF filed a criminal complaint against Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman for direct and public incitement to commit genocide, upon her arrival in Italy with her husband on 6 September.
The case rests on Silman’s own statements, documented over two years while serving as a cabinet minister, including:
Repeatedly declaring that, “the only solution for Gaza was to empty Gaza of Gazans.”
Confirming that Israel had “most definitely stopped humanitarian aid,” to Gaza;
Signing a letter urging consideration of the Generals’ Plan to seal off cut off food, water, and fuel and to northern Gaza; and,
Repeatedly denying the existence of a Palestinian people.,
Incitement to genocide is a crime in its own right. Silman’s office does not make these statements more immune to prosecution. Her official position makes them more grave.
Reprinted from… THE HIND RAJAB FOUNDATION