Egypt Daily News – An official complaint has been filed by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and several Palestinian organizations against two snipers holding dual French-Israeli nationality, accusing them of participating in summary executions of Palestinian civilians in Gaza following October 7, 2023. The report, revealed by franceinfo on Tuesday, alleges that the snipers belong to a joint paratrooper unit known as the “Ghost Unit” or Refaim in Hebrew.
The accusations extend beyond the two individuals to include the entire Israeli military command, according to Alexis Deswaef, the FIDH’s legal representative. He emphasized that the crimes described are not isolated incidents but rather part of a systematic policy carried out under clear directives. “The soldiers themselves publish footage of their crimes. This only happens when there’s a complete sense of impunity,” Deswaef said.
Grave Testimonies
In a documentary published on social media in October 2024, Palestinian journalist Younes Terrawi interviewed an American-Israeli sergeant from the unit. The soldier described how snipers operated in Gaza, stating they would shoot unarmed men found in designated combat zones, under the assumption that they were of military service age.
Regarding the targeting of women and children, the soldier admitted that instructions from command were unclear or inconsistent. “Sometimes they say yes, other times no,” he said, noting that the final decision often rested with the sniper, giving them significant autonomy and personal responsibility in deciding whether to shoot.
War Crimes and Genocide Allegations
The complaint accuses the snipers and their commanders of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even acts of genocide. These accusations are based on mounting documentation and testimonies, including footage shared by soldiers themselves.
This is not the first investigation triggered by Terrawi’s findings. In October 2024, the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office launched an inquiry into similar incidents in Gaza. South Africa has also opened an investigation, and human rights groups in Germany and Italy are reportedly preparing to file similar complaints.
This case marks a growing international legal effort to hold individuals—and potentially states—accountable for violations of international law committed during the ongoing war in Gaza.
