Request for Arrest of Israeli Officer Secretly Residing in Italy
A Palestinian human rights organization has officially requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for a senior Israeli military officer. The organization has revealed its pursuit to arrest Ghassan Alian, the coordinator of Israeli Government Operations, alleging his involvement in the Gaza famine.
According to the Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth,” the Hind Rajab Foundation, which monitors legal proceedings against Israeli soldiers, considers Alian responsible for the famine in Gaza, noting he is currently residing secretly in Italy.
In a television interview with “Democracy Now” on an American channel, Diab Abu Jahjah, head of the Hind Rajab Foundation, disclosed that the organization has filed a case with the ICC in The Hague, accusing Alian of using famine as a weapon against civilians in Gaza.
Abu Jahjah clarified that Alian, currently in Italy, enjoys no legal immunity.
The human rights organization also announced on the platform “X” that they have “filed cases with the International Criminal Court and informed Italian authorities demanding the immediate arrest of Major General Ghassan Alian, head of COGAT, who is currently in Rome.” They stated that Alian “oversees the complete siege of Gaza, weaponizing famine and targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, in acts amounting to genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.”
The foundation emphasized that, without immunity under international law, Italy is obliged to act swiftly.
Alian has previously held various positions in the Israeli army, including head of the Civil Administration, head of Central Command Headquarters, and commander of the Golani Brigade.
The Hind Rajab Foundation has previously filed complaints against Israeli soldiers in several European countries, including Finland, Denmark, and Norway, after accusing them of attempting to evade judicial prosecution. They’ve also initiated complaints in countries like Sweden, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Thailand.
