Hind Rajab Foundationseeks ICC arrest warrant for Israel’s foreign minister

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, seeking a warrant for his arrest.

In a statement on Sunday, HRF called for an arrest warrant for Sa’ar for “war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s ongoing military assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023.”

Sa’ar is a co-perpetrator alongside Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responsible for the mass displacement, starvation, and persecution of Palestinians.

He is visiting Brussels on February 18 Belgium must act under international law.

The HRF is the legal arm of the March 30 Movement, a non-profit organization established in 2024 and based in Brussels, Belgium.

The HRF's mission is to address and challenge Israeli impunity concerning war crimes and human rights violations in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

The foundation is named in honor of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl from the Gaza Strip who was killed by Israeli forces, who also killed six members of her family and two paramedics coming to her rescue.

“As Belgium is a signatory to the Rome Statute, it has a legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC and take action against individuals accused of serious international crimes,” HRF said.

“The Hind Rajab Foundation calls on Belgian authorities to ensure that Sa’ar does not evade justice while on European soil.”

“Allowing a suspected war criminal to visit Brussels unchallenged would be a betrayal of international legal commitments and the fundamental principles of justice,” the group stated.

The HRF is dedicated “to breaking the cycle of Israeli impunity and honoring the memory of Hind Rajab and all those who have perished in the Gaza genocide.”

​Sa’ar, a senior member of Netanyahu’s government and a key figure in Israel’s decision-making, has played a central role in shaping and implementing policies that have led to mass displacement, collective punishment, and systematic attacks on Palestinian civilians.

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The HRF said, “His public statements and policy endorsements indicate direct and indirect participation in these crimes, as well as incitement to violence and obstruction of international justice mechanisms.”

The group said Sa’ar has publicly advocated for reducing Gaza’s territory, a stance that directly aligns with Israel’s military actions that have led to the destruction of 72% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and the forced displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians.

“These actions violate Article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute, which prohibits the transfer of civilian populations in occupied territories. The creation of military buffer zones and targeted destruction of homes suggest a deliberate policy aimed at permanently preventing Palestinian return—a clear violation of international law,” it said.

Starvation as method of warfare

“As Foreign Minister, Sa’ar has endorsed Israel’s total blockade on Gaza, which has restricted food, water, and medical supplies, leading to catastrophic famine conditions. By weaponizing starvation, Israel has violated Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute, which criminalizes depriving civilians of objects indispensable to their survival,” the group said.

“According to international humanitarian organizations, 96% of Gaza’s population is now food insecure, with over 495,000 people facing famine conditions. The use of starvation as a military tool is a grave breach of international law and constitutes a war crime,” it said.

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