Criminal complaint filed against Israeli soldier in Germany over Gaza killings

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Human rights organizations have filed a criminal complaint in Germany against an Israeli soldier, identified as Daniel G., for participating in the killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), together with Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Al-Haq, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), submitted the complaint to the German Federal Public Prosecutor's Office seeking an investigation under international criminal law for suspected war crimes.

"The criminal complaint is based on extensive evidence documented through investigative research and audiovisual recordings," the ECCHR stated on Wednesday.

Their investigation reportedly uncovered a sniper unit within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) known as the "Ghost Unit," whose members are accused of deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian civilians.

According to the organizations, between November 2023 and March 2024, a series of targeted killings of civilians occurred in and around Gaza's Al-Quds and Nasser Hospitals, with witnesses consistently reporting sniper fire.

The complaint notes that similar legal actions have already been initiated against members of this unit in France, Italy, South Africa, and Belgium, as numerous soldiers with dual nationality served in the unit.

Dr. Alexander Schwarz, co-director of ECCHR's International Crimes program, emphasized Germany's obligation to investigate.

"If persons originating from Germany are suspected of involvement in war crimes, there is a clear mandate for the judiciary to act. The targeted killing of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip is a blatant violation of international criminal law," he said.

"Germany is obliged under international law to independently investigate and prosecute such acts. There must be no double standards – even if the perpetrators are members of the Israeli armed forces or if the government in question has a special political partnership with Germany," he added.

German news magazine Der Spiegel, which investigated the case alongside several other media outlets, reported that 25-year-old Daniel G. has longstanding ties to Munich and likely still maintains his residence in the southeastern German city.

The report noted that a previous complaint against him was forwarded from Munich prosecutors to federal authorities, who ultimately dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence.

Since the start of Israel's brutal military campaign in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 8, 2023, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 16,000 children, according to Palestinian authorities. These figures have also been confirmed by international organizations, including UN.

Despite mounting international concerns about escalating ethnic cleansing and genocide against Palestinians, the Israeli army issued an evacuation order for the entire Gaza City on Tuesday, forcing nearly 1 million people to abandon their homes and shelters and relocate to southern areas.

Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), in its interim ruling on Gaza last year, said that it's "plausible" that Israel's actions could amount to genocide. The court issued provisional measures, requiring the Israeli government to abide by international law and ensure aid and services reach Palestinians under siege in Gaza.