The Hind Rajab Foundation has called on UK authorities to arrest Israeli businessman Alon Elgali, accusing him of involvement in war crimes during the Gaza conflict. Elgali, the head of the contracting firm Meshek Afar Ltd, is allegedly featured in a video from November showing him operating a bulldozer on the ruins of civilian buildings in Rafah. The video, shared on social media, includes a soldier stating that Elgali was involved in the destruction, including targeting a mosque.
The Foundation, named after a Palestinian child killed in Gaza, asserts that the destruction of places of worship violates international law under the Geneva Convention. Elgali is reportedly in the UK for a private event, and the Hind Rajab Foundation has urged the British police to take legal action under universal jurisdiction, which allows UK courts to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes.
While the Metropolitan Police have acknowledged receiving multiple referrals related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, they have not confirmed any investigation into Elgali at this time. The UK authorities have indicated that some cases could be forwarded to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
As of August 2024, UN assessments reported widespread destruction across Gaza, with over 150,000 structures affected by the ongoing conflict.