Hind Rajab Foundation files criminal case in Greece against major in genocidal Israeli army unit

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a criminal complaint with the Greek Supreme Court against Major Yair Ohana, an Israeli Givati Brigade officer whom HRF accuses of being directly involved in Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Ohana is visiting Greece as a tourist and international law obliges Greece to investigate and prosecute Ohana, or else to extradite him to a third country for prosecution.

The HRF complaint details:
▪️ systematic destruction of homes, schools, hospitals & infrastructure
▪️ torture and inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees, including forced transfer
▪️ genocidal acts under the Rome Statute

The same evidence has also been shared with other European states, including Belgium, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia, and with countries participating in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, including South Africa, Brazil and Peru – and has been submitted to Interpol and the International Criminal Court.

The HRF complaint states that:

Ohana served as a company commander and logistics officer in the Givati Brigade’s 432nd Infantry Battalion “Tzabar”, one of the core units deployed in the genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The complaint demonstrates that Major Ohana bears individual criminal responsibility for war crimes, torture, and genocide. As a company commander within the 432nd Battalion, and an officer responsible for logistics, Ohana played a critical role in supporting the Battalion’s operations in Gaza and was therefore directly involved in its criminal conduct.

Systematic Attacks on Civilian Objects Without Military Necessity

As part of the so-called “Generals’ Plan,” the 432nd Battalion executed the wholesale devastation of Netzarim and Jabaliya, destroying homes, schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure.

These attacks were deliberate and controlled demolitions aimed at rendering large areas of northern Gaza permanently uninhabitable and served the strategic aim of erasing entire communities.

Such acts may amount to directing attacks against civilian objects, extensive destruction of property, not justified by military necessity, as well as attacking or bombarding by whatever means, towns, villages, dwellings or buildings which are undefended and which are not military objectives – war crimes under the Rome Statute and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Torture and Inhumane Treatment Evidence shows Ohana’s involvement in the transfer of Palestinians detained in Gaza under conditions of humiliation and abuse – blindfolded, bound, and transported to Israel.

These acts violate the UN Convention Against Torture and constitute war crimes.

Genocidal Conduct

By creating conditions of life designed to prevent the survival of the civilian population in northern Gaza – through the destruction of entire residential neighbourhoods and other civilian objects – the acts contribute to the crime of genocide, as defined in Article 6(g) of the Rome Statute: “deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of a people, in whole or in part.”

By transferring Palestinians arrested by the army in inhumane conditions to places where they were likely subjected to torture and ill-treatment, he also “caused serious bodily or mental harm,” as defined in Article 6(Q) of the Rome Statute.

In a statement, the HRF demanded action from the Greek government and the international community to prevent a repeat of earlier HRF cases where national or neighbouring governments have facilitated the escape of perpetrators from prosecution:

Greece Must Act

The presence of Vair Ohana on Greek territory establishes the obligation of the Greek state to act:

Article 28 of the Greek Constitution: International treaties such as the Geneva Conventions and the UN Convention Against Torture form part of domestic law and prevail over conflicting provisions.

Article 8 of the Greek Penal Code: Greek criminal law applies to crimes committed abroad when international treaties so require. Article 7 of the UN Convention Against Torture (Law 1782/1988) and Articles 49, 50, 129, and 146 of the Geneva Conventions (Law 3481/1955) impose an absolute duty on states to prosecute or extradite perpetrators of torture and grave breaches (“aut dedere aut judicare”).

Greece Must Stand with Humanity and Justice

Greece cannot ignore the presence of a suspected war criminal and genocidaire within its territory.

The law requires the initiation of a criminal investigation and, where evidence is substantiated, prosecution before Greek courts. By opening proceedings against Ohana, Greece has the opportunity to stand on the side of international law, justice, and humanity, and to send a clear message that impunity for war crimes and genocide will not be tolerated on its soil.

Regional and International Cooperation

The complaint and dossier of evidence were also shared with all neighbouring countries to encourage parallel action and prevent safe haven.

The report was also sent to Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, South Africa, Brazil, and Peru, countries that have taken a leading role in supporting accountability for international crimes. A copy has also been submitted to Interpol and to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, thereby forming part of the Court’s broader consideration of atrocities committed in Gaza.

The filing against Major Yair Ohana represents not only a demand for justice for the victims of Gaza, but also a test of Greece’s adherence to its international obligations.

The crimes documented are not abstract violations – they are acts of calculated brutality, aimed at extinguishing a civilian population through destruction, displacement, and terror.

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