Gaza Herald– The Hind Rajab Human Rights Foundation has filed a detailed criminal complaint with the German Federal Public Prosecutor against an Israeli soldier who holds both Israeli and German citizenship. The complaint accuses him of participating in the Gaza genocide.
According to a statement by the foundation, Shimon Avi Zuckerman served as a combat engineer in the 8219th Engineering Battalion of the 551st Brigade of the Israeli army during its military operations in Gaza.
The foundation affirms that Zuckerman was involved in committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide under Germany’s Code of Crimes against International Law (VStGB).
The complaint highlights that Zuckerman documented his military activities on his Instagram account during the war, posting numerous images and videos from the battlefield—not only showing his presence and actions in combat zones, but specifically focusing on the destruction of Palestinian civilian infrastructure.
Zuckerman appears in several videos and posts detonating or celebrating the demolition of residential buildings. The posts include scenes of destruction accompanied by celebratory gestures such as smoking shisha, cheering with fellow soldiers, or posing for the camera before and after explosions.
According to the Hind Rajab Foundation, one of the most horrific incidents documented was “Operation Nir Oz,” in which the Palestinian town of Khuza’a, home to approximately 5,000 people—was destroyed.
The foundation stated that Zuckerman’s unit, the 8219th Engineering Battalion, played a central role in the devastation of the area, reducing homes, schools, mosques, a water station, and an apartment building to rubble.
Fully-Documented Crime
Footage shared by Zuckerman shows him personally carrying out demolitions, chanting with fellow soldiers, and recording the destruction almost as a performance.
In one video, the accused soldier is seen laughing while buildings collapse behind him. In another, he conducts a detonation without wearing a helmet, indicating a non-combat situation and lack of military necessity, according to the foundation’s report.
Diab Abu Jahjah, General Director of the Hind Rajab Foundation, called for the enforcement of the law against Zuckerman. He stated, “If Germany refuses to act on this matter, it sends the message that the law only applies when politics allows it.” He added, “A country that claims to be governed by law cannot apply justice selectively.”
This complaint is part of a broader legal campaign led by the Hind Rajab Foundation to expose and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s war on Gaza.
