The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a formal legal complaint in Portugal against Israeli sniper Dani Adonya Adega, accusing him of grave violations of international law during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The complaint alleges Adega’s direct involvement in targeted killings of civilians—including during a declared ceasefire—as well as the illegal use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
The legal action, submitted by prominent Portuguese human rights lawyer Carmo Afonso, is backed by extensive documentation gathered by the Foundation’s investigative team over recent months. The Foundation confirmed Adega’s presence in Lisbon, where he was photographed and geolocated in July 2025.
Adega, a sniper with the 8114th Battalion of the Israeli military, served under the 252nd Division, led by Brigadier General Yehuda Vach. This division has faced international condemnation for establishing the so-called “Netzarim Corridor,” a deadly passage through central Gaza where civilians, including children, were routinely gunned down by Israeli snipers and armored patrols.
Evidence submitted with the complaint includes a chilling social media post by Adega during a ceasefire in early 2025. The post showed him in military gear holding a sniper rifle, accompanied by the caption:
“4 rounds, 0 misses 🎯🔥”
At the time of the post, hostilities from Palestinian armed groups had been suspended. Despite the ceasefire, more than 170 Palestinian civilians were killed, with sniper fire accounting for a large portion of those deaths. Adega’s posts also appear to show him stationed inside destroyed residential buildings in Gaza—potentially violating international prohibitions against using civilian property for military operations.
“This is not only a matter of justice for Gaza—this is a test for Portugal,” said a spokesperson for the Hind Rajab Foundation. “Adega is not hiding. He is walking freely in a European capital after boasting about sniper kills committed during a ceasefire. Portugal must act.”
Portugal is legally bound under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows states to prosecute individuals suspected of war crimes regardless of where the crimes were committed. The Hind Rajab Foundation is calling for Adega’s immediate arrest and the initiation of criminal proceedings in accordance with international law.
The complaint against Adega is part of a broader accountability campaign by the Foundation to prosecute Israeli military personnel implicated in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s 2023–2025 military campaign in Gaza.
Who Was Hind Rajab?
Hind Rami Iyad Rajab was a five- to six-year-old Palestinian girl killed on January 29, 2024, during an Israeli military operation in the Tel al‑Hawa neighbourhood of Gaza City. As her family fled in a vehicle following Israeli orders to evacuate, their car was struck by tank fire—killing six relatives and trapping Hind inside.
Hind’s 15‑year‑old cousin, Layan Hamadeh, called the Palestinian Red Crescent Society for help. Layan was shot and killed during the call. In the aftermath, Hind remained in the vehicle for nearly 12 days, repeatedly telling rescuers: “I’m so scared, please come. Come take me, please.”
When an ambulance was finally dispatched, it too came under fire, killing the two paramedics aboard . After Israeli forces withdrew, rescuers discovered the vehicle—its windows blown out and riddled with over 335 bullet holes—revealing Hind and her family dead inside.
Forensic investigations by Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, and Forensic Architecture provided strong evidence that Israeli tanks deliberately targeted civilian vehicles and an ambulance, raising potential charges of war crimes.
The Hind Rajab Foundation
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), launched in September 2024 in Brussels by activists Dyab Abou Jahjah and Karim Hassoun, is named in Hind’s memory. It identifies alleged Israeli war criminals—many via their own social media—and files complaints globally under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Since its inception, HRF has filed dozens of complaints in countries including Brazil, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Chile, and now Portugal, seeking accountability for alleged crimes committed in Gaza. The organization likens its mission to that of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in its pursuit of justice for atrocities.
Why This Matters
Hind Rajab became a global symbol of the civilian cost of military operations in Gaza. Her death captured a broader pattern of allegations involving unlawful attacks on civilians and medical personnel. Through her name, the Foundation is turning grief into legal action—seeking to hold individuals accountable even far from the battlefield.
The complaint against Dani Adonya Adega in Portugal is just the latest yet significant effort. As the Foundation’s spokesperson stated: “This case is not an isolated one. Our legal pipeline is full, with dozens of investigations and complaints under preparation across multiple jurisdictions.”
Portuguese authorities have not yet commented on the complaint.
