Israeli general faces potential arrest over allegations of inhumane treatment toward Palestinians
An Israeli major general, involved in operations affecting civilian infrastructure and the alleged use of food scarcity tactics in the Gaza Strip, faces potential arrest following accusations of dehumanizing Palestinians, referring to them as “human animals,” amidst ongoing conflict in the region.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a non-governmental organization dedicated to researching, documenting, and collecting evidence of war crimes and human rights abuses, has recently embarked on legal action against Ghassan Alian, presently located in Rome. The move is intended to urge Italian authorities to detain him.
The organization has initiated legal proceedings with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and has communicated with Italian authorities, urging the prompt detention of Alian. Alian is the incumbent leader of the Israeli agency purportedly responsible for managing Tel Aviv’s operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
A senior military official has intensified the regime’s blockade on Gaza, effectively using famine as a weapon and targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. These actions have been characterized by observers as potential genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has stated that Alian’s characterization of Palestinians as “human animals” underscores the motivations underlying his policies.
In a significant legal development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants pertain to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the heavily bombarded Palestinian territories.
The recent decrees have prompted the United States House of Representatives, a key ally of the regime, to pass measures endorsing the imposition of sanctions against judges of the tribunals.
The Human Rights Foundation has emphasized Italy’s duty to promptly comply with the court’s directives.
On Monday, United Nations rapporteur Francesca Albanese announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that there are indications suggesting the individual identified as Alian might imminently depart from Italy, which could complicate swift intervention by Italian authorities.
“The efforts of the Hind Rajab Foundation are crucial and must persevere,” she stated, expressing hope that the international legal community will enhance its organization, which would facilitate prompt information exchange with relevant authorities.”
In his concluding statement, Albanese emphasized that Rome’s adherence to the ICC Statute would guarantee that individuals suspected of committing international crimes within its jurisdiction are treated with the utmost seriousness.
Nearly 46,600 Palestinians have lost their lives in a severe Israeli military offensive, supported by the United States, which commenced in October 2023. This escalation was prompted by a retaliatory operation conducted by Gaza’s resistance groups in response to Israel’s long-standing and deadly occupation and aggression against the Palestinian people.
