Former Israeli soldier Adi Karni becomes subject of U.S. war crimes complaint

Former Israeli soldier Adi Karni becomes subject of U.S. war crimes complaint

On February 4, 2026, the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Brussels-based human rights organization, filed a legal complaint in the United States against Adi Karni, a former sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion. The filing seeks a federal investigation into alleged war crimes and genocidal acts Karni is accused of committing during military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The complaint was submitted while Karni was present in the United States and scheduled to speak at Boston University, an occurrence the foundation said activates U.S. jurisdiction under federal law. The Hind Rajab Foundation cited the War Crimes Act and the Genocide Statute as grounds for the filing.

According to the foundation, the complaint is based on an investigative report that alleges Karni participated in the destruction of civilian infrastructure and religious buildings in Gaza and referenced statements attributed to him after his deployment. The organization has previously submitted complaints against Karni in other jurisdictions, including an active investigation in Peru.