Key facts
- A second Israeli soldier accused of war crimes in Gaza has left India.
- The soldier departed India in mid-September.
- A criminal complaint was filed against the soldier in August by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF).
- HRF stated the soldier may have been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.
- The soldier allegedly documented his involvement in the destruction of civilian property in Khan Younis between March and April 2024.
- Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of observing international law.
A second Israeli soldier accused of war crimes in the Gaza Strip has left India, weeks after the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) filed a criminal complaint against him in August. The soldier, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, departed the country in mid-September, according to a lawyer close to the case.
It remains unclear whether the soldier's departure was a direct result of the complaint or simply the end of his holiday. This development occurs as Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, urged states to uphold international law for the effective functioning of multilateralism.
The soldier is the second former Israeli service member accused of war crimes to have been found vacationing in India. In June, HRF had filed a similar complaint against Eitan Gilboa, a soldier from Israel's 271st Combat Engineering Battalion, for allegedly demolishing civilian property in Gaza. Gilboa reportedly left India days after that complaint was lodged.
The HRF's second filing in mid-August alleged that the unnamed soldier may have been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide. The organization cited evidence that the soldier had documented his personal involvement in the unlawful destruction of civilian property in Khan Younis between March and April 2024. Satellite footage obtained by HRF reportedly showed Israeli forces destroying homes after gaining control of the area.
Dyab Abou Jahjah, general director at HRF, stated that the soldier and his unit engaged in systematic destruction of homes and agricultural land, conduct that violates international law. He emphasized that the complaint filed in India was part of HRF's commitment to bring perpetrators to justice and that India must fulfill its international obligations.
India has faced increasing scrutiny over its diplomatic and military support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. New Delhi has not supported an arms embargo on Israel nor joined South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, meaning it is not obligated to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who reportedly have outstanding warrants against them.
An Amnesty International report in August indicated that Indian companies had shipped at least 2,596 consignments of arms, ammunition, and military components to Israel between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025. These shipments reportedly included machine-gun components, artillery shells, and drone warheads. In November 2024, Jaishankar had stated that India's military sales would be guided by its national interest.