Dutch Prosecutor Receives War Crimes Complaint Against Soldier in Amsterdam
The Hind Rajab Foundation filed charges against Noam Himmelman, alleging involvement in operations in Gaza and the destruction of homes in Beit Hanoun.
By Justin Brooks ·
A criminal complaint filed with the Dutch National Public Prosecutor's Office on 4 November accuses a former Israeli soldier of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide. The filing targets Noam Himmelman, who is currently in Amsterdam, regarding his time in the Israeli army's Netzah Yehuda Battalion. The Hind Rajab Foundation submitted the document under the Dutch International Crimes Act, a statute that allows for the prosecution of international crimes when a suspect is physically present in the Netherlands.
The complaint centers on a military operation in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun on 16 April 2024. The foundation alleges that troops from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion encircled schools serving as shelters for thousands of displaced Palestinians. Soldiers reportedly opened fire on the complex and detained dozens of men, including teenagers and elderly residents. The filing states that detainees were forced to remove their clothing before being taken from the site.
Himmelman's role in these events is supported by social media evidence. The foundation says the former soldier documented the arrests in an Instagram story. Investigators verified the footage and identified a military outpost near the school in the background. This digital record forms a key part of the allegations linking him to the detentions.
The filing also details the destruction of housing in Beit Hanoun between January and July 2025. The Hind Rajab Foundation alleges that the battalion conducted controlled demolitions of residential buildings during that period. Himmelman was serving with the unit while these operations took place, contributing to widespread damage across the town.
The complaint includes references to earlier incidents involving the same battalion. It cites the 2022 death of Omar Assad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American, who died after soldiers from the unit detained him. These past accusations are included alongside the more recent claims of destruction and detention in Gaza.
The foundation announced the Dutch legal action on 5 November through a social media post. In that statement, the organization identified Himmelman as a former member of the Kfir Brigade's 97th Battalion. The post confirmed that he was residing in Amsterdam at the time of the filing.
The case relies on the principle of universal jurisdiction, which grants Dutch courts authority over specific international crimes when a suspect is on Dutch soil. The complaint seeks to hold Himmelman accountable for actions taken during his service in the Netzah Yehuda Battalion in both 2024 and 2025. The prosecution has accepted the document and is expected to review the evidence provided by the foundation.
