War crimes allegations against Australian IDF soldier

An Australian serving in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has been accused of war crimes in Gaza, and could be charged under Australian law.

The allegations include the deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings without military justification; destroying and appropriating property; and an inhumane act related to widespread property destruction. Two of the offences are alleged to be war crimes, while the third could be classed as a crime against humanity.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is considering a brief of evidence from the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ), detailing the alleged offences, which it claims were committed by an Australian citizen in the IDF.

The Centre has compiled a 65-page complaint detailing three offences, together with 43 annexures numbering hundreds of pages, which was delivered to the AFP in May.

The AFP has released a statement saying it is assessing the allegations and considering the matters against Australia's domestic and international legislative and treaty obligations. 

The centre's founder and principal lawyer, Rawan Arraf, told the ABC that all of the allegations relate to a single person, who fought with the IDF in Gaza in 2023 and 2024.

“We looked at this person and the unit and his company … and the brigade that he was involved in, and particularly at the destruction of a building, a residential building that was home to several Palestinian families from Gaza who unfortunately have no home anymore.

“We're alleging three criminal offences, including two war crimes offences relating to the destruction and appropriation of property and attacking civilian objects.

“And we're also alleging the crime against humanity of another inhumane act related to widespread and systematic property destruction as well,” Arraf said.