AFP assessing allegation of Gaza war crimes committed by Australian citizen serving in IDF

An Australian is named in a submission made to the federal police detailing alleged war crimes committed by the IDF in Gaza. Photograph: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images View image in fullscreen An Australian is named in a submission made to the federal police detailing alleged war crimes committed by the IDF in Gaza. Photograph: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images AFP assessing allegation of Gaza war crimes committed by Australian citizen serving in IDF Exclusive : Claims against Israel Defense Forces battalion include deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings in 2023 and 2024 without military justification Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australian federal police investigators are assessing a brief detailing alleged war crimes committed by an Australian citizen serving in the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza. A 61-page brief has been handed to the AFP by the Australian Centre for International Justice detailing alleged war crimes committed by an IDF battalion in Gaza across 2023 and 2024. The allegations include the deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings without military justification, a war crime under Australian law. The brief draws on witness testimony, forensic evidence from Gaza, verified satellite imagery and social media posts. It also cites information from reports from battalion soldiers, video evidence posted online from Gaza – including by the alleged Australian offender – and public statements from IDF commanders. The Australian national is named in the submission; it includes details of his service history in the IDF, his whereabouts and alleged actions during operations in 2023 and 2024, and public statements made by him during actions in Gaza. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The ACIJ’s submission states: “The pattern of conduct of the Israeli military highlighted in this complaint establishes a prima facie case that the attacks against civilian property were widespread and systematic, perpetrated in a coordinated and organised manner.” Australia has a legal obligation to act in response to Israel’s crimes. Here’s how | Chris Sidoti Read more The brief focuses on the destruction of a residential building in a suburb of Gaza. The building was taken over by the IDF and used as an operations base, before it was laced with explosives and destroyed. The brief details the demolition of the building by the battalion towards the end of its deployment, as well as evidence they claim places the alleged Australian perpetrator at and near the building at the time of its destruction. The AFP’s commander of special investigations, Matthew Gale, said his office had received the ACIJ’s brief. “Noting my command’s responsibility for the investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide I appreciate the time taken in bringing this matter to our attention,” Gale wrote. “Your letter has been referred to inv